Exosomes exert cardioprotection in dystrophin-deficient cardiomyocytes via ERK1/2-p38/MAPK signaling

Sci Rep. 2018 Nov 8;8(1):16519. doi: 10.1038/s41598-018-34879-6.

Abstract

As mediators of intercellular communication, exosomes containing molecular cargo are secreted by cells and taken up by recipient cells to influence cellular phenotype and function. Here we have investigated the effects of exosomes in dystrophin-deficient (Dys) induced pluripotent stem cell derived cardiomyocytes (iCMs). Our data demonstrate that exosomes secreted from either wild type (WT) or Dys-iCMs protect the Dys-iCM from stress-induced injury by decreasing reactive oxygen species and delaying mitochondrial permeability transition pore opening to maintain the mitochondrial membrane potential and decrease cell death. The protective effects of exosomes were dependent on the presence of exosomal surface proteins and activation of ERK1/2 and p38 MAPK signaling. Based on our findings, the acute effects of exosomes on recipient cells can be initiated from exosome membrane proteins and not necessarily their internal cargo.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Cell Differentiation
  • Cell Survival
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Dystrophin / deficiency*
  • Dystrophin / genetics
  • Exosomes / metabolism*
  • Humans
  • Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells / cytology*
  • Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells / metabolism
  • MAP Kinase Signaling System*
  • Membrane Potential, Mitochondrial
  • Mitochondria / metabolism*
  • Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 1 / metabolism
  • Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 3 / metabolism
  • Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases / metabolism
  • Myocytes, Cardiac / cytology*
  • Myocytes, Cardiac / metabolism
  • Sequence Deletion
  • p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases / metabolism

Substances

  • DMD protein, human
  • Dystrophin
  • MAPK1 protein, human
  • MAPK3 protein, human
  • Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 1
  • Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 3
  • Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases
  • p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases