Extracellular Vesicles in Multiple Sclerosis as Possible Biomarkers: Dream or Reality?

Adv Exp Med Biol. 2017:958:1-9. doi: 10.1007/978-3-319-47861-6_1.

Abstract

Extracellular vesicles are recently described as specialized structures for intercellular communication. Their role in the central nervous system was diffusely studied in both physiological and pathological condition. In particular, an increased extracellular vesicle number was detected in several autoimmune diseases, including multiple sclerosis, a chronic autoimmune, inflammatory, demyelinating and neurodegenerative disease. This chapter summarizes the available information on the involvement of the extracellular vesicles in multiple sclerosis pathogenesis and their possible use as biomarker of therapy efficacy.

Keywords: Biomarkers; Extracellular vesicles; Multiple sclerosis; Therapy efficacy.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Biomarkers
  • Extracellular Vesicles / pathology*
  • Humans
  • Multiple Sclerosis / diagnosis*
  • Multiple Sclerosis / drug therapy
  • Multiple Sclerosis / pathology
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Biomarkers