Saliva testing is a vital method for clinical applications, for its noninvasive features, richness in substances, and the huge amount. Due to its direct anatomical connection with oral, digestive, and endocrine systems, clinical usage of saliva testing for these diseases is promising. Furthermore, for other diseases that seeming to have no correlations with saliva, such as neurodegenerative diseases and psychological diseases, researchers also reckon saliva informative. Tremendous papers are being produced in this field. Updated summaries of recent literature give newcomers a shortcut to have a grasp of this topic. Here, we focused on recent research about saliva biomarkers that are derived from humans, not from other organisms. The review mostly addresses the proceedings from 2016 to 2022, to shed light on the promising usage of saliva testing in clinical diagnostics. We recap the recent advances following the category of different types of biomarkers, such as intracellular DNA, RNA, proteins and intercellular exosomes, cell-free DNA, to give a comprehensive impression of saliva biomarker testing.
Humans ; Saliva/metabolism* ; Biomarkers/metabolism* ; RNA ; Exosomes/metabolism*

Plant-derived exosome-like nanoparticles(PELNs) are a class of membranous vesicles with diameters approximately ranging from 30 to 300 nm, isolated from plant tissues. They contain components such as proteins, lipids, and nucleic acids. PELNs play an important role in the metabolism of plant substances and immune defense, and can also cross-regulate the physiological activities of fungi and animal cells, showing significant potential applications. In recent years, research on PELNs has significantly increased, highlighting three main issues:(1) the mixed sources of plant materials for PELNs;(2) the lack of a unified system for isolating and characterizing PELNs;(3) the urgent need to elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying the cross-regulation of biological functions by PELNs. This article focused on these concerns. It began by summarizing the biological origin and composition of PELNs, discussing the techniques for isolating and characterizing PELNs, and analyzing their biomedical applications and potential future research directions., aiming to promote the establishment of standardized research protocols for PELNs and provide theoretical references for in-depth exploration of the mechanisms underlying PELNs' cross-regulatory effects.
Animals ; Exosomes/metabolism* ; Proteins/metabolism* ; Plants/metabolism* ; Nucleic Acids ; Nanoparticles

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the release of exosome (Exo) from leukocyte-depleted red cell suspension (LDRCS) at different storage time and its regulation on proliferation of hematological tumor cells and possible mechanism. METHODS: The Exo (RBC-Exo) in LDRCS at different storage time was obtained by ultracentrifugation, and the morphology and immunological marker of RBC-Exo were detected by transmission electron microscopy and Western blot, respectively. The particle size distribution of RBC-Exo in LDRCS at different storage time was detected by Dynamic Light Scattering. CCK-8 assay was used to explore the effect of RBC-Exo on hematological tumor cell proliferation. Western blot was used to detect the expression of proliferation-related proteins in hematological tumor cells after co-culture with RBC-Exo. RESULTS: RBC-Exo was isolated, which was characterized by cup-like shape, particle size distribution ranged from 20 to 200 nm, CD63/TSG101 enriched, Calnexin negative, CD235a positive and CD41 negative. The particle size distribution of RBC-Exo from LDRCS between middle was not significantly different and late stored stage. But the particle size distribution of RBC-Exo at middle-late stored stage(>14 d) was larger than that at early stored stage (≤14 days). Compared with the control group, RBC-Exo could significantly promote the proliferation of HBL1, U2932 and Jurkat cells. Compared with the control group, the cycle-related protein P21 was significantly down-regulated in HBL1, U2932 and Jurkat cells after co-culture with RBC-Exo for 3 days, while the anti-apoptotic protein BCL-2 was not changed significantly. CONCLUSION The morphology of RBC-Exo from LDRCS at middle-late stored stage was different from that at early stored stage. RBC-Exo could promote the proliferation of hematological tumor cells, possibly by regulating the expression of cycle-associated protein P21.
Cell Proliferation ; Erythrocytes ; Exosomes/metabolism* ; Hematologic Neoplasms/metabolism* ; Humans ; Leukocytes

Bacterial infectious diseases are a class of diseases with specific pathogens. Current studies have shown the important application and signal transduction mechanism of exosomes in bacterial infectious diseases, but the studies are still limited. Therefore, the relationship between exosomes and bacterial infectious diseases should be further explored to provide new diagnosis and treatment ideas for clinicians. This paper reviews the mechanism and prospect of exosomes in bacterial infectious diseases caused by different pathogens. It summarizes the biological characteristics of exosomes. The mechanisms of bacterial infectious diseases, the primary pathways through which exosomes regulate various pathogens, and the modification of exosomes for anti-infection.
Humans ; Exosomes/metabolism* ; Signal Transduction ; Bacterial Infections/metabolism* ; Communicable Diseases

Skeletal muscle plays a paramount role in physical activity, metabolism, and energy balance, while its homeostasis is being challenged by multiple unfavorable factors such as injury, aging, or obesity. Exosomes, a subset of extracellular vesicles, are now recognized as essential mediators of intercellular communication, holding great clinical potential in the treatment of skeletal muscle diseases. Herein, we outline the recent research progress in exosomal isolation, characterization, and mechanism of action, and emphatically discuss current advances in exosomes derived from multiple organs and tissues, and engineered exosomes regarding the regulation of physiological and pathological development of skeletal muscle. These remarkable advances expand our understanding of myogenesis and muscle diseases. Meanwhile, the engineered exosome, as an endogenous nanocarrier combined with advanced design methodologies of biomolecules, will help to open up innovative therapeutic perspectives for the treatment of muscle diseases.
Exosomes/physiology* ; Muscle, Skeletal/metabolism* ; Cell Communication ; Homeostasis

OBJECTIVE: To assess the efficacy of GelMA hydrogel loaded with bone marrow stem cell-derived exosomes for repairing injured rat knee articular cartilage. METHODS: The supernatant of cultured bone marrow stem cells was subjected to ultracentrifugation separate and extract the exosomes, which were characterized by transmission electron microscopy, particle size analysis and Western blotting of the surface markers. The changes in rheology and electron microscopic features of GelMA hydrogel were examined after loading the exosomes. We assessed exosome release from the hydrogel was detected by BCA protein detection method, and labeled the exosomes with PKH26 red fluorescent dye to observe their phagocytosis by RAW264.7 cells. The effects of the exosomes alone, unloaded hydrogel, and exosome-loaded hydrogel on the polarization of RAW264.7 cells were detected by q-PCR and immunofluorescence assay. We further tested the effect of the exosome-loaded hydrogel on cartilage repair in a Transwell co-culture cell model of RAW264.7 cells and chondrocytes in a rat model of knee cartilage injury using q-PCR and immunofluorescence assay and HE and Masson staining. RESULTS: GelMA hydrogel loaded with exosomes significantly promoted M2-type polarization of RAW264.7 cells (P < 0.05). In the Transwell co-culture model, the exosome-loaded GelMA hydrogel significantly promoted the repair of injured chondrocytes by regulating RAW264.7 cell transformation from M1 to M2 (P < 0.05). HE and Masson staining showed that the exosome-loaded hydrogel obviously promoted cartilage repair in the rat models damage. CONCLUSION GelMA hydrogel loaded with bone marrow stem cell-derived exosomes can significantly promote the repair of cartilage damage in rats by improving the immune microenvironment.
Animals ; Bone Marrow Cells ; Cartilage ; Chondrocytes ; Exosomes ; Hydrogels/metabolism* ; Rats

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the expression level and prognostic value of miR-21, miR-18a, miR-146a, and Let-7b derived from serum exosomes in patients with multiple myeloma (MM). METHODS: Serum exosomes were extracted from 57 MM patients and 20 healthy persons using ExoQuick exosome precipitation solution kit, and the relative expression level of miR-21, miR-18a, miR-146a, and Let-7b derived from serum exosomes was measured by RT-qPCR. Correlations of the expression levels of all miRNAs mentioned above with routine laboratory parameters were analyzed by Spearman correlation analysis. The relationship between the expression level of miR-21, miR-18a, miR-146a, and Let-7b derived from serum exosomes and overall survival of patients with MM was analyzed using the Kaplan-Meier survival curve. RESULTS: The expression levels of miR-21, miR-18a, and Let-7b derived from serum exosomes in patients with MM were significantly lower than those in the normal control group (P<0.001), while the expression level of miR-146a between the two groups was not significantly different (P>0.05). The expression level of miR-21 was strongly negatively correlated with serum β₂-microglobulin concentration (r=-0.830), and weakly negatively correlated with serum creatinine, corrected serum calcium, and cystatin C (r=-0.488, -0.282, -0.627). The expression levels of Let-7b and miR-18a were also weakly negatively correlated with the corrected serum calcium, β₂-microglobulin, and cystatin C concentration (r=-0.305, -0.362, -0.461; -0.317, -0.542, -0.434). However, there was no significant correlation between the expression level of miR-146a and routine laboratory parameters in MM patients. The overall survival rate of MM patients with low expression level of miR-21, miR-18a, and Let-7b significantly decreased compared with high expression level group (P<0.05), however, the expression level of miR-146a was not related to the overall survival rate. CONCLUSION Aberrant low expression levels of miR-21, miR-18a, and Let-7b derived from serum exosomes exist in patients with MM, which are associated with a worse overall survival rate.
Calcium/metabolism* ; Creatinine/metabolism* ; Cystatin C/metabolism* ; Exosomes/metabolism* ; Humans ; MicroRNAs/metabolism* ; Multiple Myeloma/metabolism*

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are tiny biological nanovesicles ranging from approximately 30-1000 nm in diameter that are released into the extracellular matrix of most cell types and in biofluids. The classification of EVs includes exosomes, microvesicles, and apoptotic bodies, dependent on various factors such as size, markers, and biogenesis pathways. The transition of EV relevance from that of being assumed as a trash bag to be a key player in critical physiological and pathological conditions has been revolutionary in many ways. EVs have been recently revealed to play a crucial role in stem cell biology and cancer progression via intercellular communication, contributing to organ development and the progression of cancer. This review focuses on the significant research progress made so far in the role of the crosstalk between EVs and stem cells and their niche, and cellular communication among different germ layers in developmental biology. In addition, it discusses the role of EVs in cancer progression and their application as therapeutic agents or drug delivery vehicles. All such discoveries have been facilitated by tremendous technological advancements in EV-associated research, especially the microfluidics systems. Their pros and cons in the context of characterization of EVs are also extensively discussed in this review. This review also deliberates the role of EVs in normal cell processes and disease conditions, and their application as a diagnostic and therapeutic tool. Finally, we propose future perspectives for EV-related research in stem cell and cancer biology.
Biomarkers/metabolism* ; Cell-Derived Microparticles/metabolism* ; Exosomes ; Extracellular Vesicles/metabolism* ; Humans ; Neoplasms/metabolism*

Exosome is a kind of nanoscale-size extracellular vesicles secreted by the means of cell active stimulation with outer membrane structure of vacuoles corpuscle. It can carry and transfer a lot of biological molecules, such as DNA fragments, circular RNA (circRNA), messenger RNA (mRNA), microRNA (miRNA), functional proteins, transcription factors, etc., so as to achieve the goal of information transmission between cells. The relationship between exosomes and diabetes has received extensive attention in recent years. The exosomes play an important role in insulin sensitivity, glucose homeostasis and vascular endothelial function. This paper reviews the role of exosomes in the occurrence and development of diabetes and its complications, and discusses the role and prospect of exosomes as a target for diabetes treatment and its role in the diagnosis and treatment of diabetes.
Diabetes Mellitus ; diagnosis ; physiopathology ; therapy ; Exosomes ; metabolism ; Humans ; Insulin Resistance ; physiology ; MicroRNAs ; metabolism ; RNA, Messenger ; metabolism

Exosomes are membranous tiny vesicles secreted by cells, which are widely found in the extracellular matrix and various body fluids and carry a variety of biologically functional molecules such as proteins, lipids, messenger RNA (mRNA) and microRNA (miRNA). Exosomes not only play important biological roles in the field of immunology and oncology, but also have potential application value in the field of forensic medicine. This article reviews the discovery, production and degeneration mechanism, biological functions, isolation and identification methods of exosomes, summarizes the research on exosomes and their significance in the field of forensic science, and discusses their applications in body fluid identification, individual identification, postmortem interval estimation to provide ideas for the application of exosomes in forensic work.
Exosomes/metabolism* ; Forensic Medicine ; MicroRNAs/metabolism* ; Forensic Sciences ; RNA, Messenger/metabolism*