Insight into extracellular vesicles in vascular diseases: intercellular communication role and clinical application potential

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)

Background Cells have been increasingly known to release extracellular vesicles (EVs) to the extracellular environment under physiological and pathological conditions. A plethora of studies have revealed that EVs contain cell-derived biomolecules and are found in circulation, thereby implicating them in molecular trafficking between cells. Furthermore, EVs have an effect on physiological function and disease development and serve as disease biomarkers. Main body Given the close association between EV circulation and vascular disease, this review aims to provide a brief introduction to EVs, with a specific focus on the EV cargoes participating in pathological mechanisms, diagnosis, engineering, and clinical potential, to highlight the emerging evidence suggesting promising targets in vascular diseases. Despite the expansion of research in this field, some noticeable limitations remain for clinical translational research. Conclusion This review makes a novel contribution to a summary of recent advances and a perspective on the future of EVs in vascular diseases. Video Abstract.

Evidence level

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

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