中国神经再生研究(英文版) ›› 2024, Vol. 19 ›› Issue (5): 933-934.doi: 10.4103/1673-5374.382243

• 观点:神经损伤修复保护与再生 •    下一篇

来自尘埃:细胞外囊泡作为发育和神经再生的调节器

  

  • 出版日期:2024-05-15 发布日期:2023-10-31

From the dust: extracellular vesicles as regulators of development and neuroregeneration

Leon G. Coleman Jr*   

  1. The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, School of Medicine, Department of Pharmacology, Bowles Center for Alcohol Studies, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
  • Online:2024-05-15 Published:2023-10-31
  • Contact: Leon G. Coleman Jr, MD, PhD, leon_coleman@med.unc.edu.
  • Supported by:
    National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism AA024829, AA028924, AA028599 and the Bowles Center for Alcohol Studies (to LGCJ).

摘要: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1693-3799 (Leon G. Coleman Jr)

Abstract:

First impressions can have a lasting impact. In science, this can be especially problematic, because our lack of understanding often causes us to mislabel and thus ignore important biological processes. In this vein, extracellular vesicles (EVs) were once considered to be “cellular dust”. Similar to the previous concept of “junk DNA” to describe protein non-coding regions, EVs are far more than just cellular dust. In fact, EVs are emerging as key mediators of intracellular communication across nearly all biological systems. This includes peripheral immune responses (e.g., arthropathies and sepsis), intra-organ communication (Seim et al., 2023), and a host of other physiological and pathological states (Figure 1A and B). EV signaling is multi-faceted due to the diverse assortment of cargo (protein, lipid, nucleic acids) and surface molecules (bioactive lipids, cell surface markers, proteins) (Tricarico et al., 2017). This allows for the communication of complex biological signals that are needed to regulate complex biological processes. Unfortunately, EVs are still often overlooked. EV surface proteins play critical roles as do content within EVs. The encapsulation of internal EV cargo by their lipid membranes can preclude the identification of EV contents if EVs are not specifically isolated or lysed prior to assessment. Thus, it is easy to miss key mediators in EVs. Ignoring the role of EVs across biological processes can lead to missed discoveries, and slow the advancement of research and therapeutics.