title: Secreted microRNAs: a new form of intercellular communication.
abstract: In multicellular organisms, cell-to-cell communication is of particular importance for the proper development and function of the organism as a whole. Intensive studies over the past three years suggesting horizontal transfer of secreted microRNAs (miRNAs) between cells point to a potentially novel role for these molecules in intercellular communication. Using a microvesicle-dependent, or RNA-binding protein-associated, active trafficking system, secreted miRNAs can be delivered into recipient cells where they function as endogenous miRNAs, simultaneously regulating multiple target genes or signaling events. In this Opinion, we summarize recent literature on the biogenesis and uptake of secreted miRNAs, propose a possible working model for how secreted miRNAs might be sorted and transferred between cells and speculate on their biological significance.
authors.affiliation: Jiangsu Engineering Research Center for microRNA Biology and Biotechnology, State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, School of Life Sciences, Nanjing University, 22 Hankou Road, Nanjing 210093, China.
authors.forename: Xi
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Hongwei
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Liang
authors.forename: Junfeng
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: Ke
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Zen
authors.forename: Chen-Yu
authors.initials: CY
authors.lastname: Zhang
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002450:Cell Communication; D005110:Extracellular Space / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D042541:Intracellular Space / Q000378:metabolism; D035683:MicroRNAs / Q000378:metabolism*; D020871:RNA Stability
chemical_list: D035683:MicroRNAs