Exosomes in Atherosclerosis, a Double-Edged Sword: Their Role in Disease Pathogenesis and Their Potential as Novel Therapeutics

Neil Patel; Deborah D Chin; Eun Ji Chung

doi:10.1208/s12248-021-00621-w

Exosomes in Atherosclerosis, a Double-Edged Sword: Their Role in Disease Pathogenesis and Their Potential as Novel Therapeutics

AAPS J. 2021 Jul 26;23(5):95. doi: 10.1208/s12248-021-00621-w.

Authors

Neil Patel¹, Deborah D Chin¹, Eun Ji Chung^{2

3

4

5}

Affiliations

¹ Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Southern California, 1042 Downey Way, DRB 140, California, Los Angeles, 90089, USA.
² Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Southern California, 1042 Downey Way, DRB 140, California, Los Angeles, 90089, USA. eunchung@usc.edu.
³ Division of Vascular Surgery and Endovascular Therapy, Department of Surgery, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, California, Los Angeles, 90033, USA. eunchung@usc.edu.
⁴ Mork Family Department of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, University of Southern California, California, Los Angeles, 90089, USA. eunchung@usc.edu.
⁵ Division of Nephrology and Hypertension, Department of Medicine, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, California, Los Angeles, 90033, USA. eunchung@usc.edu.

PMID: 34312734
DOI: 10.1208/s12248-021-00621-w

Abstract

Cardiovascular disease (CAD) due to atherosclerosis is a major cause of death worldwide. The development of atherosclerosis involves intercellular communication facilitated by exosomes secreted from vascular endothelial cells (VECs), vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs), immune cells, and platelets. In this review, we summarize the current understanding of exosome biogenesis and uptake, and discuss atherogenic and atheroprotective functions of exosomes secreted from these cell types. In addition, we examine the potential of enhancing the therapeutic and targeting ability of exosomes exhibiting atheroprotective function by drug loading and surface modification with targeting ligands. We conclude with current challenges associated with exosome engineering for therapeutic use.

Keywords: atherosclerosis; drug delivery; engineered exosomes; extracellular vesicles; nanoparticle.

Publication types

Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.
Review

MeSH terms

Anticholesteremic Agents / administration & dosage*
Atherosclerosis / drug therapy
Atherosclerosis / etiology*
Cell Communication
Cell Engineering / methods
Drug Carriers / chemistry*
Exocytosis
Exosomes / chemistry
Exosomes / metabolism*
Humans

Substances

Anticholesteremic Agents
Drug Carriers

Grants and funding

DP2 DK121328/DK/NIDDK NIH HHS/United States