Exosomes as Regulators of Macrophages in Cardiovascular Diseases

Evidence from laboratory and animal studies provides groundwork for understanding mechanisms and potential before human studies continue.

• Level A · Stronger Clinical Evidence
• Level B · Emerging clinical evidence with positive signals
• Level C · Early human research exploring benefits
• Level D · Scientific groundwork from lab and animal studies
• Emerging · Emerging topic under active research

Abstract (original English)

Macrophages in atherosclerosis and myocardial infarction have diverse functions, such as foam cell formation and the induction of an inflammatory response that promotes ventricular dysfunction in the heart. Exosomes are small vesicles released by many different types of cells, such as macrophages, dendritic cells, platelets and other immunoregulatory cells, that facilitate communication with other cells, modulating the biological functions of recipient cells. Exosomes offer a novel therapeutic approach for the polarization of macrophages involved in cardiovascular diseases. In this review, we provide an overview of the biological role of macrophages in atherosclerosis and myocardial infarction and the effects of exosomes on these cells as therapeutic agents in the disease.

Evidence level

Evidence from laboratory and animal studies provides groundwork for understanding mechanisms and potential before human studies continue.

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