The production of high-quality oocytes requires precisely orchestrated intercellular communication. Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are cell-derived nanoparticles that play a vital role in the transfer of bioactive molecules, which has gained much attention in the field of diagnosis and treatment. Over the past ten years, the participation of EVs in the reproductive processes of oocytes has been broadly studied and has shown great potential for elucidating the intricacies of female reproductive health. This review provides an extensive discussion of the influence of EVs on oocytes, emphasizing their involvement in normal physiology and altered cargo under pathological conditions. In addition, the positive impact of therapeutic EVs on oocyte quality and their role in alleviating ovarian pathological conditions are summarized.
Humans ; Extracellular Vesicles/physiology* ; Oocytes/cytology* ; Female ; Animals ; Cell Communication/physiology*

The timely and efficient repair of the plasma membrane in skeletal muscle cells following injury is critical for maintaining cellular function and tissue integrity. Extracellular vesicles (EVs) play a pivotal role in this process through multi-level mechanisms. This review systematically summarizes the generation, secretion, and multifunctional roles of EVs in the repair of skeletal muscle plasma membrane damage: (1) removing damaged membrane fragments and cellular debris via endocytosis and exocytosis to maintain plasma membrane stability; (2) fusing with the injured plasma membrane to supply essential components for membrane repair and restore membrane integrity; and (3) serving as a vital mediator of intercellular communication, transmitting repair signals, promoting intercellular interactions, and orchestrating multi-level responses to facilitate tissue regeneration and functional recovery. Additionally, this article explores the potential applications of EVs in the treatment of exercise-induced injuries and muscular diseases, aiming to provide theoretical insights and novel strategies for future research and EV-based therapeutic approaches.
Extracellular Vesicles/physiology* ; Humans ; Muscle, Skeletal/physiology* ; Cell Membrane/physiology* ; Animals ; Regeneration/physiology* ; Exocytosis/physiology* ; Endocytosis/physiology* ; Cell Communication/physiology*

Extracellular vesicles (EVs), defined as cell-secreted nanoscale vesicles that carry bioactive molecules, have emerged as a promising therapeutic strategy in tumor and tissue regeneration. Their potential in repairing intervertebral disc degeneration (IDD) through multidimensional regulatory mechanisms is a rapidly advancing field of research. This paper provided an overview of the mechanisms of EVs in IDD repair, thoroughly reviewed recent literature on EVs for IDD, domestically and internationally, and summarized their therapeutic mechanisms. In IDD repair, EVs could act through different mechanisms at the molecular, cellular, and tissue levels. At the molecular level, EVs could treat IDD by inhibiting inflammatory reactions, suppressing oxidative stress, and regulating the synthesis and decomposition of extracellular matrix. At the cellular level, EVs could treat IDD by inhibiting cellular pyroptosis, ferroptosis, and apoptosis and promoting cell proliferation and differentiation. At the tissue level, EVs could treat IDD by inhibiting neovascularization. EVs have a strong potential for clinical application in the treatment of IDD and deserve more profound study.
Extracellular Vesicles/physiology* ; Humans ; Intervertebral Disc Degeneration/therapy* ; Apoptosis ; Cell Proliferation ; Oxidative Stress ; Cell Differentiation ; Extracellular Matrix/metabolism* ; Animals ; Pyroptosis

Hypoxic-ischemic (HI) brain damage poses a high risk of death or lifelong disability, yet effective treatments remain elusive. Here, we demonstrated that miR-100-5p levels in the lesioned cortex increased after HI insult in neonatal mice. Knockdown of miR-100-5p expression in the brain attenuated brain injury and promoted functional recovery, through inhibiting the cleaved-caspase-3 level, microglia activation, and the release of proinflammation cytokines following HI injury. Engineered extracellular vesicles (EVs) containing neuron-targeting rabies virus glycoprotein (RVG) and miR-100-5p antagonists (RVG-EVs-Antagomir) selectively targeted brain lesions and reduced miR-100-5p levels after intranasal delivery. Both pre- and post-HI administration showed therapeutic benefits. Mechanistically, we identified protein phosphatase 3 catalytic subunit alpha (Ppp3ca) as a novel candidate target gene of miR-100-5p, inhibiting c-Fos expression and neuronal apoptosis following HI insult. In conclusion, our non-invasive method using engineered EVs to deliver miR-100-5p antagomirs to the brain significantly improves functional recovery after HI injury by targeting Ppp3ca to suppress neuronal apoptosis.
Animals ; MicroRNAs/metabolism* ; Extracellular Vesicles/metabolism* ; Mice ; Recovery of Function/physiology* ; Hypoxia-Ischemia, Brain/therapy* ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Antagomirs/administration & dosage* ; Male ; Animals, Newborn ; Apoptosis/drug effects* ; Brain Injuries/metabolism* ; Glycoproteins ; Peptide Fragments ; Viral Proteins

The oral and maxillofacial region is a highly complex area composed of multiple tissue types and bears various critical functions of the human body. Diseases in this region pose significant diagnostic and management challenges; therefore, exploring new strategies for early diagnosis, targeted treatment, and tissue reconstruction is key to improving patient prognosis and quality of life. Extracellular vesicles are a group of heterogeneous lipid-bilayer membrane structures secreted by most cell types, including exosomes, microvesicles, and apoptotic bodies. Present in various body fluids and tissues, they act as messengers via the transfer of nucleic acids, proteins, and metabolites to recipient cells. To date, studies have revealed the different roles of extracellular vesicles in physiological or pathological processes, as well as applications in disease diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment. The importance and tissue specificity of the dental and maxillofacial tissues indicate that extracellular vesicles derived from this region are promising for further research. This paper reviews the published data on extracellular vesicles derived from cells, body fluids, and tissues in oral and maxillofacial regions, summarizes the latest advances in extracellular vesicles from extensive sources, and concludes with a focus on the current research progress and application prospects of engineered exosomes in oral science.
Humans ; Extracellular Vesicles/physiology* ; Mouth ; Exosomes/physiology*

Tissue interactions play a crucial role in tooth development. Notably, extracellular vesicle-mediated interactions between the mandible and tooth germ are considered essential. Here, we revealed that mandible extracellular vesicles could modulate the proliferation and differentiation of dental mesenchymal cells by regulating the histone demethylase KDM2B. Further investigation showed that mandible derived extracellular vesicles could deliver miR-206 to KDM2B, thereby regulating tooth development. An animal study demonstrated that the miR-206/KDM2B pathway affected tooth morphogenesis and mineralization after eight weeks of subcutaneous transplantation in nude mice. In conclusion, this study suggested that the mandible played a critical role in tooth morphogenesis and mineralization, which could be a potential therapeutic target for abnormal tooth development and an alternative model for tooth regeneration.
Animals ; Extracellular Vesicles/metabolism* ; Jumonji Domain-Containing Histone Demethylases/metabolism* ; Swine ; MicroRNAs/metabolism* ; Mandible ; Mice, Nude ; Odontogenesis/physiology* ; Swine, Miniature ; Mice ; Cell Differentiation ; Cell Proliferation

Extracellular vesicles (EV),nanoscale vesicles encapsulated by phospholipid bilayers,are rich in biological molecules such as nucleic acids,metabolites,proteins,and lipids derived from parental cells.They are mainly involved in intercellular communication,signal transmission,and material transport and affect the functions of target cells.Ovulation disorders account for a higher proportion in the factors causing infertility which demonstrates increasing incidence year by year.Non-coding RNAs participate in a series of physiological and pathological processes of follicular development,playing a key role in female infertility.This review systematically introduces the types and biological roles of EV and elaborates on the regulation of follicular development from the effects of EV and non-coding RNAs on granulosa cell function,oocyte maturation,ovulation,luteal formation,and steroid hormone synthesis,providing a new idea and a breakthrough point for the diagnosis and treatment of infertility.
Female ; Humans ; Oogenesis/physiology* ; Granulosa Cells ; Extracellular Vesicles/physiology* ; Cell Communication ; RNA, Untranslated ; Infertility

Wound healing involves complex pathophysiological mechanism, among which angiogenesis is considered as one of the key steps in wound healing, and promoting wound angiogenesis can accelerate wound healing. In recent years, mesenchymal stem cell-derived extracellular vesicles have been proven to produce equivalent effects of wound healing promotion comparable to stem cell therapy, with the advantages of low antigenicity and high biocompatibility. The specific mechanism by which extracellular vesicles facilitate wound healing is still not fully understood and is thought to involve all stages of wound healing. This article focuses on the possible mechanism of extracellular vesicles of adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells in promoting wound angiogenesis, so as to provide ideas for further study on the mechanism of extracellular vesicles to promote wound healing.
Wound Healing/physiology* ; Mesenchymal Stem Cells ; Extracellular Vesicles ; Stem Cell Transplantation

Exosomes are a class of extracellular vesicles with a structure of lipid bilayer-membrane. In the central nervous system (CNS), exosomes can be secreted from both neurons and glial cells. Exosomes released into the extracellular matrix can freely cross the blood-brain barrier and function as crucial carriers of cellular communication and substance exchange in the CNS. Exosomes play a key role in the pathological process of mental disorders such as schizophrenia, depression, and bipolar disorder, and they have the potential to be used as a targeted carrier of antipsychotic medications. Exosomes are likely to become a new tool in the future to aid in the early prevention, accurate diagnosis, and effective treatment for people with mental disorders.
Humans ; Exosomes/physiology* ; Extracellular Vesicles/physiology* ; Central Nervous System ; Mental Disorders ; Blood-Brain Barrier

Extracellular vesicles are nanoparticles secreted by most eukaryotic cells and play important roles in material transport and information transmission between cells, involved in inflammation, angiogenesis, antigen presentation, cell apoptosis, cell differentiation, and other biological processes. The culture supernatant of mesenchymal stem cells is rich in extracellular vesicles, and the extracellular vesicles can regulate the formation of new blood vessels, a key step in wound healing and tissue repair. The persistence of diabetic ulcers is closely related to the blocked formation of wound vascular network. This article reviews the role of extracellular vesicles derived from mesenchymal stem cells in promoting angiogenesis of diabetic ulcers, in order to provide a new idea for the treatment of diabetic ulcers.
Diabetes Complications ; Diabetes Mellitus ; Extracellular Vesicles ; Humans ; Mesenchymal Stem Cells ; Neovascularization, Pathologic ; Ulcer ; Wound Healing/physiology*