title: Exosomes and Cardiovascular Protection.
abstract: Most, if not all, cells of the cardiovascular system secrete small, lipid bilayer vesicles called exosomes. Despite technical challenges in their purification and analysis, exosomes from various sources have been shown to be powerfully cardioprotective. Indeed, it is possible that much of the so-called "paracrine" benefit in cardiovascular function obtained by stem cell therapy can be replicated by the injection of exosomes produced by stem cells. However, exosomes purified from plasma appear to be just as capable of activating cardioprotective pathways. We discuss the potential roles of endogenous exosomes in the cardiovascular system, how this is perturbed in cardiovascular disease, and evaluate their potential as therapeutic agents to protect the heart.
authors: The Hatter Cardiovascular Institute, 67 Chenies Mews, WC1E 6HX, London, UK. s.davidson@ucl.ac.uk.
authors: Sean M
authors: SM
authors: Davidson
authors: The Hatter Cardiovascular Institute, 67 Chenies Mews, WC1E 6HX, London, UK.
authors: Kaloyan
authors: K
authors: Takov
authors: The Hatter Cardiovascular Institute, 67 Chenies Mews, WC1E 6HX, London, UK.
authors: Derek M
authors: DM
authors: Yellon
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D055252:Cell-Derived Microparticles / Q000378:metabolism / Q000637:transplantation*; D055354:Exosomes / Q000378:metabolism / Q000637:transplantation*; D006801:Humans; D009206:Myocardium / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D015398:Signal Transduction; D033581:Stem Cell Transplantation / Q000379:methods*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
keywords: Cardioprotection; Exosomes; Microparticles; Microvesicles; Stem cells