Exosome function in aerodigestive mucosa

Sarina K Mueller; Angela L Nocera; Benjamin S Bleier

doi:10.1016/j.nano.2017.10.008

Exosome function in aerodigestive mucosa

Nanomedicine. 2018 Feb;14(2):269-277. doi: 10.1016/j.nano.2017.10.008. Epub 2017 Nov 7.

Authors

Sarina K Mueller¹, Angela L Nocera², Benjamin S Bleier³

Affiliations

¹ Department of Otolaryngology, Massachusetts Eye and Ear, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA; University of Erlangen-Nuremberg, Erlangen, Germany. Electronic address: sarina_mueller@meei.harvard.edu.
² Department of Otolaryngology, Massachusetts Eye and Ear, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA. Electronic address: angela_nocera@meei.harvard.edu.
³ Department of Otolaryngology, Massachusetts Eye and Ear, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA. Electronic address: benjamin_bleier@meei.harvard.edu.

PMID: 29127037
DOI: 10.1016/j.nano.2017.10.008

Abstract

Exosomes are 30-150 nm membrane-bound vesicles which are secreted by virtually all cell types. Exosomes have been studied in a wide range of both normal and pathologic human tissues, most notably cancer. The role of exosomes in immune surveillance and in non-invasive biomarker sampling, and their potential to act as therapeutic carriers lend particular importance to mucosal barrier derived exosomes. This review focuses specifically on current knowledge regarding exosomes derived from aerodigestive membranes. Specific topics covered include: isolation and characterization techniques, physiological function, protein expression, function as biomarkers of disease, and potential therapeutic uses.

Keywords: Exosome; Intercellular signaling peptides and proteins; Mucociliary clearance; Respiratory mucosa.

Publication types

Review

MeSH terms

Animals
Biological Transport
Cell Membrane / metabolism*
Exosomes / physiology*
Gastrointestinal Tract / metabolism*
Humans
Respiratory Mucosa / metabolism*
Respiratory System / metabolism*