Role of extracellular RNA-carrying vesicles in cell differentiation and reprogramming.
Growing evidence suggests that transcriptional regulators and secreted RNA molecules encapsulated within membrane vesicles modify the phenotype of target cells. Membrane vesicles, actively released by cells, represent a mechanism of intercellular communication that is conserved evolutionarily and involves the transfer of molecules able to induce epigenetic changes in recipient cells. Extracellular vesicles, which include exosomes and microvesicles, carry proteins, bioactive lipids, and nucleic acids, which are protected from enzyme degradation. These vesicles can transfer signals capable of altering cell function and/or reprogramming targeted cells. In the present review we focus on the extracellular vesicle-induced epigenetic changes in recipient cells that may lead to phenotypic and functional modifications. The relevance of these phenomena in stem cell biology and tissue repair is discussed.
Department of Medicine, Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Box G-A1, Providence, RI, 02912, USA. pquesenberry@lifespan.org.
Peter J
PJ
Quesenberry
Department of Medicine, Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Box G-A1, Providence, RI, 02912, USA.
Jason
J
Aliotta
Translational Center for Regenerative Medicine, University of Torino/Fresenius Medical Care, via Nizza 52, 10126, Torino, Italy.|Department of Medical Sciences, University of Torino, Corso Dogliotti 14, 10126, Torino, Italy.
Maria Chiara
MC
Deregibus
Department of Medical Sciences, University of Torino, Corso Dogliotti 14, 10126, Torino, Italy. giovanni.camussi@unito.it.
Giovanni
G
Camussi
D000818:Animals; D002450:Cell Communication / Q000502:physiology; D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000502:physiology; D055252:Cell-Derived Microparticles / Q000378:metabolism; D065150:Cellular Reprogramming / Q000235:genetics; D044127:Epigenesis, Genetic / Q000235:genetics; D055354:Exosomes / Q000378:metabolism; D000067128:Extracellular Vesicles / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D012313:RNA / Q000235:genetics* / Q000502:physiology
D012313:RNA