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Transport of microRNAs via exosomes

Nature Reviews Cardiology volume 12, page 198 (2015)Cite this article

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We read with great interest the Review by Boon and Dimmeler (MicroRNAs in myocardial infarction. Nat. Rev. Cardiol. doi:10.1038/nrcardio.2014.207),1 who discuss the role of microRNAs (miRNAs) in myocardial infarction and regeneration. Specifically, this Review provides an update on how circulating miRNAs function as communicators between cells using exosomes as shuttle vehicles. An increasing number of studies is enabling the development of novel exosome-based diagnosis and therapies for cardiovascular diseases.2 In light of these exciting new developments in exosome research, we wish to highlight some important additional points about the transport of miRNA via exosomes as biomarkers and therapeutic targets.

Circulating miRNAs have been used as biomarkers for many cardiovascular diseases, such as atherosclerosis, heart failure, hypertension, and myocardial infarction.3 These miRNAs are packaged either in exosomes or with high-density lipoprotein and are, therefore, quite stable.4 Interestingly, although only mature miRNAs have been found in high-density lipoprotein, both pre-miRNAs and mature miRNA have been detected in exosomes.5 Exosomes derived from cardiac fibroblasts have been found to contain miRNA passenger strands (known as miRNA star or miRNA*), which are generally degraded within a cell and induce cardiomyocyte hypertrophy in a paracrine fashion.6 The unexpected presence of passenger-strand miRNA in exosomes provides a unique and novel biomarker for cardiovascular disease. Furthermore, different cells might secrete the same miRNA, which makes identifying the source of circulating miRNA difficult. However, exosomes carry markers of the parent cell, which clearly identifies the source of miRNA transferred, thereby enhancing the potential of exosomes as diagnostic biomarkers.7

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References

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Acknowledgements

The authors were supported by the project for the Priority Academic Program Development of Jiangsu Higher Education Institutions (PAPD) and the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Nos 81120108003 and 81330007).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Cardiovascular Science & Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, 215123, Jiangsu, People's Republic of China

    Yangxin Li & Zhenya Shen

  2. Medical Research Center of Guangdong General Hospital, Guangdong Provincial Cardiovascular Institute, Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Guangzhou, 510080, Guangdong, People's Republic of China

    Xi-Yong Yu

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Correspondence to Yangxin Li.

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Li, Y., Shen, Z. & Yu, XY. Transport of microRNAs via exosomes. Nat Rev Cardiol 12, 198 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1038/nrcardio.2014.207-c1

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