Research progress of extracellular vesicles in the treatment of ovarian diseases (Review)

Exp Ther Med. 2023 Nov 15;27(1):15. doi: 10.3892/etm.2023.12303. eCollection 2024 Jan.

Abstract

The ovary is an essential reproductive organ in the female organism and its development seriously affects the physical and mental health of female patients. Ovarian diseases include ovarian cancer, premature ovarian insufficiency (POI) and polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Women should pay attention to the most effective treatments for this condition because it is one of the most prevalent gynecological illnesses at present. Extracellular vesicles (EVs), which are smaller vesicles that mediate the exchange of cellular information, include the three categories of exosomes, microvesicles and apoptotic bodies. They are able to transport proteins, RNA and other substances to adjacent or distal cells, thus allowing cellular and tissue homeostasis to be maintained. Numerous previous studies have revealed that EVs are crucial for the treatment of ovarian diseases. They are known to transport its contents to ovarian cancer cells as well as other ovarian cells such as granulosa cells, affecting the development of ovarian disease processes. Therefore, this extracellular vesicle may be involved as a target in the therapeutic process of ovarian disease and may have great potential in the treatment of ovarian disease. In the present review, the role of EVs in the development of three ovarian diseases, including ovarian cancer, POI and PCOS, was mainly summarizes. It is expected that this will provide some theoretical support for the treatment of ovarian disease.

Keywords: extracellular vesicles; ovarian cancer; polycystic ovary syndrome; premature ovarian insufficiency; treatment.

Publication types

  • Review

Grants and funding

Funding: The present study was supported by the Research Fund for Lin He's Academician Workstation of New Medicine and Clinical Translation in Jining Medical University (grant nos. JYHL2021MS13 and JYHL2021MS10) and College Students' Innovation Training Program of Jining Medical University (grant nos. S202310443062 and cx2023062z).