Potential Roles of Exosomal MicroRNAs as Diagnostic Biomarkers and Therapeutic Application in Alzheimer’s Disease

Exosomes are bilipid layer-enclosed vesicles derived from endosomes and are released from neural cells. They contain a diversity of proteins, mRNAs, and microRNAs (miRNAs) that are delivered to neighboring cells and/or are transported to distant sites. miRNAs released from exosomes appear to be associated with multiple neurodegenerative conditions linking to Alzheimer’s disease (AD) which is marked by hyperphosphorylated tau proteins and accumulation of Aβ plaques. Exciting findings reveal that miRNAs released from exosomes modulate the expression and function of amyloid precursor proteins (APP) and tau proteins. These open up the possibility that dysfunctional exosomal miRNAs may influence AD progression. In addition, it has been confirmed that the interaction between miRNAs released by exosomes and Toll-like receptors (TLR) initiates inflammation. In exosome support-deprived neurons, exosomal miRNAs may regulate neuroplasticity to relieve neurological damage. In this review, we summarize the literature on the function of exosomal miRNAs in AD pathology, the potential of these miRNAs as diagnostic biomarkers in AD, and the use of exosomes in the delivery of miRNAs which may lead to major advances in the field of macromolecular drug delivery.

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Exosome-encapsulated microRNAs as promising biomarkers for Alzheimer’s disease

Reviews in the Neurosciences ◽

10.1515/revneuro-2019-0001 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 31 (1) ◽

pp. 77-87 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Jian-jiao Chen ◽

Guang Yang ◽

Qing-qing Yan ◽

Jie Zhao ◽

Shao Li

Keyword(s):

Alzheimer’S Disease ◽

Alzheimer's Disease ◽

Tau Proteins ◽

Diagnostic Biomarkers ◽

Clinical Phase ◽

Preclinical Phase ◽

Cerebrospinal Fluid Biomarkers ◽

Exosomal Mirnas ◽

And Function ◽

Therapeutic Prevention

Abstract Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a chronic neurodegenerative disease that locks into long clinical latency and low curative ratio. Therefore, early diagnosis before the clinical phase is quite essential and may be effective for therapeutic prevention. Peripheral blood or cerebrospinal fluid biomarkers symbolizing functional neuronal impairment are gradually applied to diagnose AD in research studies. Exosomes have generated immense interest in the diagnosis field of neurodegenerative disorders after confirmation of their roles as mediators, delivering important proteins and microRNAs (miRNAs) in intercellular communication. Compelling research results reveal that miRNAs released from exosomes modulate expression and function of amyloid precursor proteins and tau proteins. These findings open up possibility that dysfunctional exosomal miRNAs may influence AD progression. In this review, we summarized the existing knowledge of exosomal miRNAs and their involvement in AD, emphasizing their potential to serve as diagnostic biomarkers during the preclinical phase of AD.

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