title: Microvesicles in Autoimmune Diseases.
abstract: During apoptosis or activation, cells can release a subcellular structure, called a membrane microvesicle (also known as microparticle) into the extracellular environment. Microvesicles bud-off as a portion of cell membrane with its associated proteins and lipids surrounding a cytosolic core that contains intracellular proteins, lipids, and nucleic acids (DNA, RNA, siRNA, microRNA, lncRNA). Biologically active molecules on the microvesicle surface and encapsulated within can act on recipient cells as a novel mode of intercellular communication. Apoptosis has long been known to be involved in the development of diseases of autoimmunity. Abnormally persistent microvesicles, particularly apoptotic microvesicles, can accelerate autoimmune responses locally in specific organs and tissues as well as systemically. In this review, we focus on studies implicating microvesicles in the pathogenesis of autoimmune diseases and their complications.
authors.affiliation: Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States; Corporal Michael J. Crescenz VA Medical Center (Philadelphia), Philadelphia, PA, United States. Electronic address: lium1@mail.med.upenn.edu.
authors.forename: M-L
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.affiliation: Section of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism, Temple University School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, United States.
authors.forename: K J
authors.initials: KJ
authors.lastname: Williams
authors.affiliation: Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States; Corporal Michael J. Crescenz VA Medical Center (Philadelphia), Philadelphia, PA, United States.
authors.forename: V P
authors.initials: VP
authors.lastname: Werth
mesh_terms: D017209:Apoptosis; D001327:Autoimmune Diseases / Q000209:etiology*; D015551:Autoimmunity; D055252:Cell-Derived Microparticles / Q000502:physiology*; D004730:Endothelium, Vascular / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D018919:Neovascularization, Physiologic; D013927:Thrombosis / Q000209:etiology; D014657:Vasculitis / Q000209:etiology
keywords: Angiogenesis; Autoimmune inflammation; Autoimmunity; Endothelial dysfunction; Microparticle; Microvesicle; Thrombosis; Vascular inflammation; miRNAs; siRNAs