Study of the Molecular Mechanisms of the Therapeutic Properties of Extracellular Vesicles

Dear Colleagues,

Extracellular vesicles are currently one of the most studied cellular derivatives in terms of various aspects of cellular physiology, and they are considered to represent a new mode of intercellular communication. Extracellular vesicles are commonly found, and the term refers to a heterogeneous group of cell-derived membranous structures that includes exosomes and microvesicles. In spite of this, the methodology for isolating cellular vesicles has not yet been standardized, and it is difficult to separate the studied objects by origin based only on linear dimensions and their mass due to overlap in these parameters. The possibility of using extracellular vesicles of stem/progenitor and somatic cells as therapeutic tools with a wide range of cytoprotective and regenerative properties has been convincingly demonstrated. This has prompted the search for “therapeutic” molecules in extracellular vesicles. However, this task is complicated by the complex composition of extracellular vesicles, which includes lipids, proteins, and nucleic acids. The results of research are also contradictory, with some studies demonstrating the key role of miRNA while others completely exclude the contribution of miRNA to the signaling/therapeutic effects of extracellular vesicles. The fundamental question is understanding the contribution of lipids, proteins, and microRNA, which will determine further strategies for creating biomedical drugs based on extracellular vesicles.

In this regard, we invite investigators to contribute original research articles and review articles that will stimulate continuing efforts to understand the role of lipids, proteins, or nucleic acids in the observed therapeutic effects, alone or in combination. Submissions on studies aimed at creating cellular model systems that allow for targeted control of the cargo of extracellular vesicles will be welcomed. Also of interest are submissions on the use of inhibitory analysis and omics technologies with bioinformatics analysis to identify signaling pathways in recipient cells and molecules in extracellular vesicles involved in therapeutic effects.

Dr. Denis N. Silachev
Guest Editor

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