Circulating exosomal MicroRNAs: New non-invasive biomarkers of non-communicable disease

Mol Biol Rep. 2021 Jan;48(1):961-967. doi: 10.1007/s11033-020-06050-w. Epub 2020 Dec 12.

Abstract

Exosomes are vesicles, ranging of 30-150 nm in diameter, which are released by different cell types into the extracellular space. Exosomes are capable of transporting several biomolecules such as proteins, lipids, DNA, mRNA, and non-coding RNA, including microRNAs (miRs). miRs signatures have been linked to the development of non-communicable diseases and their classification into various subtypes and/or stages. Interestingly, the miRs contained in exosomes (exomiRs) are suitable candidates as non-invasive biomarkers due to their stability in body fluids and harsh conditions, as well as they are considered critical players involved in intercellular communication; so that they can be a promising diagnostic tool for several diseases. Besides, exomiRs allow discrimination between different stages of the disease and could be a valuable strategy for the early detection of several pathologies in a non-invasive approach. This review aims to describe exomiRs present in biologic fluids that can be used as a tool for the diagnosis and prognosis of non-communicable diseases such as cancer, cardiovascular, kidney, and neurodegenerative disease.

Keywords: Biomarkers; Exosome; Non-communicable disease; microRNAs.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Biological Transport
  • Biomarkers / blood
  • Cardiovascular Diseases / blood
  • Cardiovascular Diseases / diagnosis
  • Cardiovascular Diseases / genetics*
  • Cardiovascular Diseases / pathology
  • Cell-Free Nucleic Acids / blood
  • Cell-Free Nucleic Acids / genetics
  • Exosomes / chemistry*
  • Exosomes / metabolism
  • Gene Expression Regulation
  • Humans
  • Kidney Diseases / blood
  • Kidney Diseases / diagnosis
  • Kidney Diseases / genetics*
  • Kidney Diseases / pathology
  • MicroRNAs / blood
  • MicroRNAs / genetics*
  • Neoplasms / blood
  • Neoplasms / diagnosis
  • Neoplasms / genetics*
  • Neoplasms / pathology
  • Neurodegenerative Diseases / blood
  • Neurodegenerative Diseases / diagnosis
  • Neurodegenerative Diseases / genetics*
  • Neurodegenerative Diseases / pathology
  • Prognosis

Substances

  • Biomarkers
  • Cell-Free Nucleic Acids
  • MicroRNAs