Role of extracellular vesicles in stem cell biology

Abstract

The extracellular vesicles (EVs) are membrane vesicles carrying proteins, nucleic acids, and bioactive lipids of the cell of origin. These vesicles released within the extracellular space and entering into the circulation may transfer their cargo to neighboring or distant cells and induce phenotypical and functional changes that may be relevant in several physiopathological conditions. In an attempt to define the biological properties of EVs, several investigations have focused on their cargo and on the effects elicited in recipient cells. EVs have been involved in modulation of tumor microenvironment and behavior, as well as in the immune and inflammatory response. In the present review, we address the paracrine action of EVs released by stem cells and their potential involvement in the activation of regenerative programs in injured cells.

Keywords: cancer cells; exosomes; immune cells; microvesicles; stem cells.

Fig. 1.

Stem cell-derived extracellular vesicles (SC-EVs) contribution to tissue repair. Stem cells release EVs that accumulate at the site of tissue injury and deliver proteins and specific patterns of mRNAs and microRNAs (miRNAs) to injured cells. When incorporated into damaged cells, SC-EVs activate regenerative programs, which accelerate tissue recovery and include cell dedifferentiation, cell cycle reentry, proliferation, and redifferentiation. Inset: representative transmission electron microscopy image of EVs (original magnification ×250,000).