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Emerging role of exosomes in liver physiology and pathology
Author(s) -
Cai Shuangpeng,
Cheng Xiaoyu,
Pan Xueyin,
Li Jun
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
hepatology research
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.123
H-Index - 75
eISSN - 1872-034X
pISSN - 1386-6346
DOI - 10.1111/hepr.12794
Subject(s) - microvesicles , cirrhosis , hepatocellular carcinoma , fatty liver , alcoholic liver disease , immune system , liver disease , mesenchymal stem cell , hepatitis c virus , medicine , disease , microrna , immunology , cancer research , biology , virus , pathology , gene , biochemistry
Exosomes can mediate intercellular communication by conveying various bioactive molecules. Plentiful evidence suggests that exosomes are involved in many liver diseases including hepatitis C virus infection, hepatitis B virus infection, hepatocellular carcinoma, liver fibrosis, cirrhosis, non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease, and alcoholic liver disease. Moreover, exosomes are present in nearly all human body fluids. Therefore, exosomal miRNA or proteins have the potential to be novel biomarkers of liver diseases. In the treatment of liver diseases, exosomes could participate in adaptive immune response and mesenchymal stem cell‐based therapy. Exosomes can also be used as vehicles for genetic materials and drug delivery.