Research progress in exosomes in tissue fibrosis / 中国药理学与毒理学杂志

ABSTRACT

Exosomes are extracellular nanovesicles secreted by a variety of cell types such as cardiomyocyte, hepatocytes, and stem cells. They carry specific sets of mRNA, microRNA, and proteins, which play a role in intercellular communication in almost each physiological and pathological process. Exosomes, which are released after tissue cell injury, can initiate repair/regeneration responses by triggering inflammation and active fibroblast, and finally lead to tissue fibrosis. However, exosomes released by stem cells can retard tissue fibrosis by enhancing cell survival and reducing apoptosis. In this paper, we reviewed the research progress in the relationship between exosomes and tissue fibrosis.