AI Article Synopsis
- A newly discovered way cells communicate involves the transfer of tiny extracellular vesicles (EVs) that contain lipids, proteins, and genetic material.
- EVs from immune system cells can control immune responses by delivering bioactive substances and RNAs, mainly microRNAs, that can alter gene expression in target cells.
- Various innate immune cells and even non-immune cells release EVs, which influence immune responses and other physiological processes, with a focus on the role of EV-associated RNAs in these regulatory mechanisms.
Article Abstract
A newly uncovered means of communication between cells involves intercellular transfer of nano-sized extracellular vesicles (EV), composed of lipids, proteins, and genetic material. EV released by cells of the immune system can play a regulatory role in the induction and suppression of immune responses. These functions may be mediated not only by the bioactive lipids and proteins present in EV but also by EV-associated RNAs. The RNA in EV mainly consists of microRNAs and a large range of other small non-coding RNA species. Since many of these small RNAs have the potential to regulate gene expression, intercellular transfer of these RNAs via EV may cause long-term changes in the function of EV-targeted cells. Several types of innate immune cells release EV that affect innate immune responses and other (patho)physiological processes. Additionally, the innate immune system is influenced by EV released by non-immune cells and EV found in body fluids. In this review, we focus on how EV-associated RNAs contribute to these immune regulatory processes.
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Source |
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| http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4212677 | PMC |
| http://dx.doi.org/10.3389/fimmu.2014.00542 | DOI Listing |
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