Overview of extracellular microvesicles in drug metabolism.
BACKGROUND
Liver is the major body reservoir for enzymes involved in the metabolism of endogenous and xenobiotic compounds. Recently, it has been shown that hepatocytes release exosome-like vesicles to the extracellular medium, and the proteomic characterization of these hepatocyte-secreted exosomes has revealed the presence of several of these enzymes on them.


METHODS
A systematic bibliographic search focused on two related aspects: i) xenobiotic-metabolizing enzymes that have been detected in microvesicles (MVs); and ii) MVs that are in the blood stream or secreted by cell types with clear interactions with this fluid.


RESULTS
A discussion of these hepatocyte-secreted vesicles along with other MVs as enzymatic carriers in the context of extrahepatic drug-metabolizing systems.


CONCLUSIONS
The contribution of many tissues including the liver to the MV plasma population is supported by several reports. On the other hand, many enzymes involved in the metabolism of drugs have been detected in MVs. Together, these observations support a role of hepatic-MVs in spreading the liver metabolizing activities through the body contributing in this manner to extrahepatic drug metabolism systems what could be relevant for body homeostasis and pharmaceutical interests.
Conde-Vancells
Javier
J
Metabolomics Unit, CICbioGUNE, CIBERehd, Bizkaia Technology Park, Bldg.801-A, Derio 48160, Bizkaia, Spain.
Gonzalez
Esperanza
E
Lu
Shelly C
SC
Mato
Jose M
JM
Falcon-Perez
Juan M
JM
D000818:Animals; D055354:Exosomes / Q000201:enzymology / Q000378:metabolism*; D005110:Extracellular Space / Q000378:metabolism; D022781:Hepatocytes / Q000378:metabolism*; D006706:Homeostasis; D006801:Humans; D008099:Liver / Q000201:enzymology / Q000378:metabolism; D015262:Xenobiotics / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000378:metabolism*
D015262:Xenobiotics