title: Extracellular vesicles at the cross-line between basic science and clinical needs.
abstract: MiRNAs are small noncoding RNAs vital for protein regulation and gene expression. Since their discovery in the early nineties, many of their intracellular roles have been characterized. However, it is only recently that EVs loaded with miRNAs and other molecular types have started to be appreciated for their substantial involvement in cell-to-cell communication and signaling in physiological and pathological processes. EVs cell-to-cell signaling functions are complex and largely unknown, which still hampers the direct use of endogenous engineered EVs as therapeutics. However, ad hoc engineered synthetic EVs could represent new therapeutics. The potential of EV-inspired delivery carriers has now attracted the interest of the pharmaceutical industry and has challenged drug delivery researchers with new questions. This review will focus on EVs and EV-inspired drug delivery carriers, on their potential and on the challenges involved in the use of EV-inspired drug delivery systems.
authors.affiliation: Bristol Heart Institute, School of Clinical Sciences, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK.
authors.forename: Luana
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Sasso
authors.affiliation: School of Medicine, St. George University of London, Tooting, London, UK.
authors.forename: Huma
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Hosamuddin
authors.affiliation: Bristol Heart Institute, School of Clinical Sciences, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK.|National Health and Lung Institute, Hammersmith campus, Imperial College London, UK.
authors.forename: Costanza
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Emanueli
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D032701:Biomimetics / Q000379:methods*; D002450:Cell Communication; D004337:Drug Carriers / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000067128:Extracellular Vesicles; D006801:Humans; D035683:MicroRNAs / Q000378:metabolism / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015398:Signal Transduction
chemical_list: D004337:Drug Carriers; D035683:MicroRNAs
keywords: EVs; delivery carriers; ectosomes; endocytosis; exosomes; miRNA; microparticles