title: MiRNAs in Astrocyte-Derived Exosomes as Possible Mediators of Neuronal Plasticity.
abstract: Astrocytes use gliotransmitters to modulate neuronal function and plasticity. However, the role of small extracellular vesicles, called exosomes, in astrocyte-to-neuron signaling is mostly unknown. Exosomes originate in multivesicular bodies of parent cells and are secreted by fusion of the multivesicular body limiting membrane with the plasma membrane. Their molecular cargo, consisting of RNA species, proteins, and lipids, is in part cell type and cell state specific. Among the RNA species transported by exosomes, microRNAs (miRNAs) are able to modify gene expression in recipient cells. Several miRNAs present in astrocytes are regulated under pathological conditions, and this may have far-reaching consequences if they are loaded in exosomes. We propose that astrocyte-derived miRNA-loaded exosomes, such as miR-26a, are dysregulated in several central nervous system diseases; thus potentially controlling neuronal morphology and synaptic transmission through validated and predicted targets. Unraveling the contribution of this new signaling mechanism to the maintenance and plasticity of neuronal networks will impact our understanding on the physiology and pathophysiology of the central nervous system.
authors.affiliation: Centro de Investigaciones Biomédicas, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de los Andes, Chile.
authors.forename: Carlos
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Lafourcade
authors.affiliation: Centro de Investigaciones Biomédicas, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de los Andes, Chile.
authors.forename: Juan Pablo
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Ramírez
authors.affiliation: Centro de Investigaciones Biomédicas, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de los Andes, Chile.
authors.forename: Alejandro
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Luarte
authors.affiliation: Centro de Investigaciones Biomédicas, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de los Andes, Chile.
authors.forename: Anllely
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Fernández
authors.affiliation: Centro de Investigaciones Biomédicas, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de los Andes, Chile.
authors.forename: Ursula
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Wyneken
keywords: astrocytes; extracellular vesicles; microRNA; neurons