title: Intercellular communication by extracellular vesicles and their microRNAs in asthma.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Extracellular vesicles (EVs) such as exosomes and microvesicles are phospholipid bilayer-enclosed vesicles that are recognized as novel tools for intercellular communications and as biomarkers for several diseases. They contain various DNAs, proteins, mRNAs, and microRNAs (miRNAs) that have potential diagnostic and therapeutic purposes. Their biological roles have attracted significant interest in the pulmonary field because their vesicle composition and miRNA content have the ability to transfer biological information to recipient cells and play an important role in pulmonary inflammatory and allergic diseases. Asthma is a chronic inflammatory disease of the airways, and it is characterized by variable and recurring symptoms and reversible airflow obstruction. The purpose of this review was to discuss the function of EVs and their miRNAs in asthma, with a focus on the biological properties and biogenesis of EVs, their pathophysiologic roles, and their potential use as biomarkers and therapies for asthma.
  
  
  METHODS
  We review the findings from several articles on EVs and their miRNAs in asthma and provide illustrative references.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A few studies have reported on the biological function of bronchoalveolar lavage fluid-derived EVs in asthmatic progression. In the lungs, EVs might regulate airway inflammation and allergic reactions through their paracrine effects. Furthermore, circulating miRNAs have been found to be associated with EVs.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  EV-mediated miRNAs can be used as biomarkers in asthma.
authors.affiliation: Division of Molecular and Cellular Medicine, National Cancer Center Research Institute, Tokyo, Japan; Division of Respiratory Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, Jikei University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan.
authors.forename: Yu
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Fujita
authors.affiliation: Division of Molecular and Cellular Medicine, National Cancer Center Research Institute, Tokyo, Japan.
authors.forename: Yusuke
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Yoshioka
authors.affiliation: Division of Respiratory Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, Jikei University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan.
authors.forename: Saburo
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ito
authors.affiliation: Division of Respiratory Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, Jikei University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan.
authors.forename: Jun
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Araya
authors.affiliation: Division of Respiratory Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, Jikei University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan.
authors.forename: Kazuyoshi
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kuwano
authors.affiliation: Division of Molecular and Cellular Medicine, National Cancer Center Research Institute, Tokyo, Japan. Electronic address: tochiya@ncc.go.jp.
authors.forename: Takahiro
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Ochiya
mesh_terms: D001249:Asthma / Q000503:physiopathology*; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000378:metabolism; D002450:Cell Communication / Q000502:physiology*; D004247:DNA; D055354:Exosomes / Q000502:physiology; D000067128:Extracellular Vesicles / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D035683:MicroRNAs / Q000502:physiology*; D012333:RNA, Messenger
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D035683:MicroRNAs; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D004247:DNA
keywords: allergy; asthma; cell-to-cell communication; exosome; extracellular vesicles; microRNA