Microvesicles-mediated Cell Communication in Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension

Abstract

Background: Pulmonary arterial hypertension is one of the chronic diseases that affect human health. Microvesicles participate in the communication between cells by fusing with the recipient cells to transfer the bioactive molecules, such as lipids, proteins, RNA, etc., to the target cells. Microvesicles are involved in various biological processes and have the functions of regulating immunity, promoting angiogenesis, and so on. Microvesicles derived from various cells may become the diagnostic biomarkers or therapeutic targets for the diseases. Therefore, exploring the role of microvesicles-mediated cell communication has become a potential therapeutic target for pulmonary arterial hypertension.

Objective: It is to clarify the classification, features, and mechanism of microvesicles in cell communication and to discuss the potentially important roles of microvesicles-mediated cell communication in pulmonary arterial hypertension.

Results: Inflammation is an important pathogenesis of pulmonary arterial hypertension. Many studies have shown that microvesicles from different cells can participate in the pathological process of pulmonary arterial hypertension by transferring the inflammatory factors contained in them.

Conclusion: Microvesicles-mediated cell communication may become the therapeutic target for pulmonary arterial hypertension.

Keywords: Microvesicles; cell communication; extracellular vesicles; inflammation; macrophage-derived microvesicles; pulmonary arterial hypertension.