Respiratory diseases are a group of different conditions affecting the airways, including
acute lung injury,
asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder, and
idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. Recent studies have demonstrated the
extracellular vesicles (EVs) produced and secreted by autologous
cells are able to induce inflammatory responses and immune activation in
respiratory diseases.
Exosomes, a type of EVs (30-150 nm) containing nuclear
acids,
proteins,
lipids, and metabolites, can transfer bioactive cargo and have potential implications for
disease pathogenesis. Although the
biological functions of
exosomes in
cancer and
cardiovascular diseases have been widely addressed, their pathophysiological mechanisms in respiratory disorders are still not completely understood. In this
review, we first presented current methodologies in use for
exosomes isolation and characterization from
biological fluids, such as
bronchoalveolar lavage fluid,
nasal lavage fluid, exhaled breath condensate,
sputum supernatant, and
blood. And then, we critically discussed the crucial
role of
exosomes in
respiratory diseases, not only focusing on their involvement in the development of
airway diseases, but also on their diagnostic and
therapeutic potential. A better
understanding of these mechanisms
will provide opportunities for
research on
respiratory diseases induced by environmental and
occupational exposure to
particulate matter in which
exosomes contribute to the
disease development.