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Review
. 2015 Sep 3:6:153.
doi: 10.1186/s13287-015-0150-x.

Role of extracellular RNA-carrying vesicles in cell differentiation and reprogramming

Peter J Quesenberry  1 , Jason Aliotta  2 , Maria Chiara Deregibus  3   4 , Giovanni Camussi  5
Affiliations
Review

Role of extracellular RNA-carrying vesicles in cell differentiation and reprogramming

Peter J Quesenberry et al. Stem Cell Res Ther. .

Abstract

Growing evidence suggests that transcriptional regulators and secreted RNA molecules encapsulated within membrane vesicles modify the phenotype of _target cells. Membrane vesicles, actively released by cells, represent a mechanism of intercellular communication that is conserved evolutionarily and involves the transfer of molecules able to induce epigenetic changes in recipient cells. Extracellular vesicles, which include exosomes and microvesicles, carry proteins, bioactive lipids, and nucleic acids, which are protected from enzyme degradation. These vesicles can transfer signals capable of altering cell function and/or reprogramming _targeted cells. In the present review we focus on the extracellular vesicle-induced epigenetic changes in recipient cells that may lead to phenotypic and functional modifications. The relevance of these phenomena in stem cell biology and tissue repair is discussed.

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Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Combined factors that modulate cell fate and functions. a Soluble growth factors may act as paracrine or autocrine mechanisms by interacting with cell receptors directly or after binding to matrix; extracellular matrix and direct cell-to-cell contact may in turn direct cell fate in a defined microenvironment. The interaction between stem and stromal cells is reciprocal. In addition, oxygen tension and metabolic products may modulate cell phenotype. Extracellular vesicles are part of this complex regulatory network of factors involved in the interaction between cells. b Schematic representation of different modes of action of extracellular vesicles. lncRNA long noncoding RNA, miRNA microRNA
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Model of extracellular vesicle-induced modulation of cell phenotype involved in the repair of tissue injury. EV extracellular vesicle, lncRNA long noncoding RNA, miRNA microRNA
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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