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Leszczynska A, Stoess C, Sung H, Povero D, Eguchi A, Feldstein A. Extracellular Vesicles as Therapeutic and Diagnostic Tools for Chronic Liver Diseases. Biomedicines 2023; 11:2808. [PMID: 37893181 PMCID: PMC10604241 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines11102808] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2023] [Revised: 10/12/2023] [Accepted: 10/12/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Chronic liver diseases can lead to fibrotic changes that may progress to the development of cirrhosis, which poses a significant risk for morbidity and increased mortality rates. Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD), alcohol-associated liver disease (ALD), and viral hepatitis are prevalent liver diseases that may lead to cirrhosis. The advanced stages of cirrhosis can be further complicated by cancer development or end-stage liver disease and liver failure. Hence, early detection and diagnosis of liver fibrosis is crucial for preventing the progression to cirrhosis and improving patient outcomes. Traditionally, invasive liver biopsy has been considered the gold standard for diagnosing and staging liver fibrosis. In the last decade, research has focused on non-invasive methods, known as liquid biopsies, which involve the identification of disease-specific biomarkers in human fluids, such as blood. Among these alternative approaches, extracellular vesicles (EVs) have emerged as promising diagnostic and therapeutic tools for various diseases, including chronic liver diseases. EVs are released from stressed or damaged cells and can be isolated and quantified. Moreover, EVs facilitate cell-to-cell communication by transporting various cargo, and they have shown the potential to reduce the expression of profibrogenic markers, making them appealing tools for novel anti-fibrotic treatments. This review focuses on the impact of EVs in chronic liver diseases and exploring their potential applications in innovative therapeutic and diagnostic approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Christian Stoess
- Department of Pediatrics, University of California, San Diego, CA 92037, USA; (A.L.)
- Department of Surgery, TUM School of Medicine, Technical University of Munich, 81675 Munich, Germany
| | - Hana Sung
- Department of Pediatrics, University of California, San Diego, CA 92037, USA; (A.L.)
| | - Davide Povero
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55905, USA;
| | - Akiko Eguchi
- Biobank Center, Mie University Hospital, Tsu 514-8507, Japan;
| | - Ariel Feldstein
- Department of Pediatrics, University of California, San Diego, CA 92037, USA; (A.L.)
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De Stefano N, Calleri A, Faini AC, Navarro-Tableros V, Martini S, Deaglio S, Patrono D, Romagnoli R. Extracellular Vesicles in Liver Transplantation: Current Evidence and Future Challenges. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:13547. [PMID: 37686354 PMCID: PMC10488298 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241713547] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2023] [Revised: 08/24/2023] [Accepted: 08/28/2023] [Indexed: 09/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are emerging as a promising field of research in liver disease. EVs are small, membrane-bound vesicles that contain various bioactive molecules, such as proteins, lipids, and nucleic acids and are involved in intercellular communication. They have been implicated in numerous physiological and pathological processes, including immune modulation and tissue repair, which make their use appealing in liver transplantation (LT). This review summarizes the current state of knowledge regarding the role of EVs in LT, including their potential use as biomarkers and therapeutic agents and their role in graft rejection. By providing a comprehensive insight into this emerging topic, this research lays the groundwork for the potential application of EVs in LT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicola De Stefano
- General Surgery 2U-Liver Transplant Unit, Department of Surgical Sciences, Azienda Ospedaliero Universitaria Città Della Salute e Della Scienza Di Torino, University of Turin, Corso Bramante 88-90, 10126 Turin, Italy; (N.D.S.); (R.R.)
| | - Alberto Calleri
- Gastrohepatology Unit, Azienda Ospedaliero Universitaria Città Della Salute e Della Scienza Di Torino, University of Turin, 10126 Turin, Italy; (A.C.); (S.M.)
| | - Angelo Corso Faini
- Immunogenetics and Transplant Biology Unit, Azienda Ospedaliero Universitaria Città Della Salute e Della Scienza Di Torino, University of Turin, 10126 Turin, Italy; (A.C.F.); (S.D.)
| | - Victor Navarro-Tableros
- 2i3T, Società Per La Gestione Dell’incubatore Di Imprese e Per Il Trasferimento Tecnologico, University of Turin, 10126 Turin, Italy;
| | - Silvia Martini
- Gastrohepatology Unit, Azienda Ospedaliero Universitaria Città Della Salute e Della Scienza Di Torino, University of Turin, 10126 Turin, Italy; (A.C.); (S.M.)
| | - Silvia Deaglio
- Immunogenetics and Transplant Biology Unit, Azienda Ospedaliero Universitaria Città Della Salute e Della Scienza Di Torino, University of Turin, 10126 Turin, Italy; (A.C.F.); (S.D.)
| | - Damiano Patrono
- General Surgery 2U-Liver Transplant Unit, Department of Surgical Sciences, Azienda Ospedaliero Universitaria Città Della Salute e Della Scienza Di Torino, University of Turin, Corso Bramante 88-90, 10126 Turin, Italy; (N.D.S.); (R.R.)
| | - Renato Romagnoli
- General Surgery 2U-Liver Transplant Unit, Department of Surgical Sciences, Azienda Ospedaliero Universitaria Città Della Salute e Della Scienza Di Torino, University of Turin, Corso Bramante 88-90, 10126 Turin, Italy; (N.D.S.); (R.R.)
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Kostallari E, Valainathan S, Biquard L, Shah VH, Rautou PE. Role of extracellular vesicles in liver diseases and their therapeutic potential. Adv Drug Deliv Rev 2021; 175:113816. [PMID: 34087329 PMCID: PMC10798367 DOI: 10.1016/j.addr.2021.05.026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2021] [Revised: 05/17/2021] [Accepted: 05/29/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
More than eight hundred million people worldwide have chronic liver disease, with two million deaths per year. Recurring liver injury results in fibrogenesis, progressing towards cirrhosis, for which there doesn't exists any cure except liver transplantation. Better understanding of the mechanisms leading to cirrhosis and its complications is needed to develop effective therapies. Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are released by cells and are important for cell-to-cell communication. EVs have been reported to be involved in homeostasis maintenance, as well as in liver diseases. In this review, we present current knowledge on the role of EVs in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and non-alcoholic steatohepatitis, alcohol-associated liver disease, chronic viral hepatitis, primary liver cancers, acute liver injury and liver regeneration. Moreover, therapeutic strategies involving EVs as targets or as tools to treat liver diseases are summarized.
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Affiliation(s)
- Enis Kostallari
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, United States.
| | - Shantha Valainathan
- Université de Paris, AP-HP, Hôpital Beaujon, Service d'Hépatologie, DMU DIGEST, Centre de Référence des Maladies Vasculaires du Foie, FILFOIE, ERN RARE-LIVER, Centre de recherche sur l'inflammation, Inserm, UMR 1149, Paris, France
| | - Louise Biquard
- Université de Paris, Centre de recherche sur l'inflammation, Inserm, UMR 1149, Paris, France.
| | - Vijay H Shah
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, United States.
| | - Pierre-Emmanuel Rautou
- Université de Paris, AP-HP, Hôpital Beaujon, Service d'Hépatologie, DMU DIGEST, Centre de Référence des Maladies Vasculaires du Foie, FILFOIE, ERN RARE-LIVER, Centre de recherche sur l'inflammation, Inserm, UMR 1149, Paris, France.
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Thietart S, Rautou PE. Extracellular vesicles as biomarkers in liver diseases: A clinician's point of view. J Hepatol 2020; 73:1507-1525. [PMID: 32682050 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhep.2020.07.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 94] [Impact Index Per Article: 23.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2020] [Revised: 07/05/2020] [Accepted: 07/06/2020] [Indexed: 02/09/2023]
Abstract
Extracellular vesicles are membrane-bound vesicles containing proteins, lipids, RNAs and microRNAs. They can originate from both healthy and stressed cells, and provide a snapshot of the cell of origin in physiological and pathological circumstances. Various processes that may give rise to the release of extracellular vesicles occur in liver diseases, including hepatocyte apoptosis, hepatic stellate cell activation, liver innate immune system activation, systemic inflammation, and organelle dysfunction (mitochondrial dysfunction and endoplasmic reticulum stress). Numerous studies have therefore investigated the potential role of extracellular vesicles as biomarkers in liver diseases. This review provides an overview of the methods that can be used to measure extracellular vesicle concentrations in clinical settings, ranging from plasma preparation to extracellular vesicle measurement techniques, as well as looking at the challenges of using extracellular vesicles as biomarkers. We also provide a comprehensive review of studies that test extracellular vesicles as diagnostic, severity and prognostic biomarkers in various liver diseases, including non-alcoholic and alcoholic steatohepatitis, viral hepatitis B and C infections, cirrhosis, primary liver cancers, primary sclerosing cholangitis and acute liver failure. In particular, extracellular vesicles could be useful tools to evaluate activity and fibrosis in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, predict risk of hepatitis B virus reactivation, predict complications and mortality in cirrhosis, detect early hepatocellular carcinoma, detect malignant transformation in primary sclerosing cholangitis and predict outcomes in acute liver failure. While most studies draw on data derived from pilot studies, which still require clinical validation, some extracellular vesicle subpopulations have already been evaluated in solid prospective studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara Thietart
- Université de Paris, Centre de recherche sur l'inflammation, Inserm, F-75018 Paris, France
| | - Pierre-Emmanuel Rautou
- Université de Paris, Centre de recherche sur l'inflammation, Inserm, F-75018 Paris, France; Service d'Hépatologie, DHU Unity, Pôle des Maladies de l'Appareil Digestif, Hôpital Beaujon, AP-HP, Clichy, France; Centre de Référence des Maladies Vasculaires du Foie, French Network for Rare Liver Diseases (FILFOIE), European Reference Network (ERN) 'Rare-Liver'.
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Campello E, Radu CM, Zanetto A, Bulato C, Shalaby S, Spiezia L, Franceschet E, Burra P, Russo FP, Simioni P. Changes in plasma circulating microvesicles in patients with HCV-related cirrhosis after treatment with direct-acting antivirals. Liver Int 2020; 40:913-920. [PMID: 31454463 DOI: 10.1111/liv.14234] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2019] [Revised: 07/29/2019] [Accepted: 08/22/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND & AIMS The eradication of Hepatitis C (HCV) infection by direct-acting antiviral (DAAs) agents has been linked to an amelioration of liver synthesis and regression of fibrosis. Although changes in number and type of circulating microvesicles (MVs) have been reported in cirrhosis, conclusive data on the effect of DAAs treatment on MVs profile in HCV cirrhotic patients remain scarce. METHODS We measured the levels of endothelial, platelet and hepatocyte MVs, as well as MVs-expressing versican core protein (VCAN+) in patients with HCV-related cirrhosis at baseline, end of treatment (EOT), at 12, 24 and 48 weeks (W) after EOT by new generation flow cytometry. RESULTS Fifty-eight patients were enrolled (86% Child's A). MVs were increased at EOT vs baseline, though only platelet MVs revealed a statistically significant difference (P < .01). MV levels did not change significantly after EOT notwithstanding a steady downward trend towards baseline levels. Conversely, VCAN + MVs dropped significantly at EOT (P < .001) and remained low throughout the follow-up. Hepatocyte MVs significantly correlated with liver stiffness (r = .40, P = .0021). Eight composite outcomes occurred during the 1-year follow-up: three portal vein thromboses (PVTs), two hepatocellular carcinomas (HCCs) and three liver decompensation. Child's B, the presence of F2 oesophageal varices (OR for interaction 19.2 [95% CI 1.45-253.7], P = .023) and platelet MVs (OR 1.026 [95% CI 1.00-1.05, P = .023) correlated significantly with clinical outcomes. CONCLUSIONS VCAN + MVs appear to mirror the profibrotic status of the cirrhotic disease; hepatocyte MVs correlate with liver stiffness and increased platelet MV levels could be associated with a worse clinical outcome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elena Campello
- Department of Medicine, Thrombotic and Haemorrhagic Diseases Unit, Padova University Hospital, Padova, Italy
| | - Claudia M Radu
- Department of Medicine, Thrombotic and Haemorrhagic Diseases Unit, Padova University Hospital, Padova, Italy
| | - Alberto Zanetto
- Department of Surgery, Oncology and Gastroenterology, Gastroenterology and Multivisceral Transplant Unit, Padova University Hospital, Padova, Italy
| | - Cristiana Bulato
- Department of Medicine, Thrombotic and Haemorrhagic Diseases Unit, Padova University Hospital, Padova, Italy
| | - Sarah Shalaby
- Department of Surgery, Oncology and Gastroenterology, Gastroenterology and Multivisceral Transplant Unit, Padova University Hospital, Padova, Italy
| | - Luca Spiezia
- Department of Medicine, Thrombotic and Haemorrhagic Diseases Unit, Padova University Hospital, Padova, Italy
| | - Enrica Franceschet
- Department of Surgery, Oncology and Gastroenterology, Gastroenterology and Multivisceral Transplant Unit, Padova University Hospital, Padova, Italy
| | - Patrizia Burra
- Department of Surgery, Oncology and Gastroenterology, Gastroenterology and Multivisceral Transplant Unit, Padova University Hospital, Padova, Italy
| | - Francesco P Russo
- Department of Surgery, Oncology and Gastroenterology, Gastroenterology and Multivisceral Transplant Unit, Padova University Hospital, Padova, Italy
| | - Paolo Simioni
- Department of Medicine, Thrombotic and Haemorrhagic Diseases Unit, Padova University Hospital, Padova, Italy
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Balaphas A, Meyer J, Sadoul R, Morel P, Gonelle-Gispert C, Bühler LH. Extracellular vesicles: Future diagnostic and therapeutic tools for liver disease and regeneration. Liver Int 2019; 39:1801-1817. [PMID: 31286675 DOI: 10.1111/liv.14189] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2018] [Revised: 06/06/2019] [Accepted: 07/01/2019] [Indexed: 02/13/2023]
Abstract
Extracellular vesicles are membrane fragments that can be produced by all cell types. Interactions between extracellular vesicles and various liver cells constitute an emerging field in hepatology and recent evidences have established a role for extracellular vesicles in various liver diseases and physiological processes. Extracellular vesicles originating from liver cells are implicated in intercellular communication and fluctuations of specific circulating extracellular vesicles could constitute new diagnostic tools. In contrast, extracellular vesicles derived from progenitor cells interact with hepatocytes or non-parenchymal cells, thereby protecting the liver from various injuries and promoting liver regeneration. Our review focuses on recent developments investigating the role of various types of extracellular vesicles in acute and chronic liver diseases as well as their potential use as biomarkers and therapeutic tools.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandre Balaphas
- Division of Digestive Surgery, University Hospitals of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland.,Surgical Research Unit, University Hospitals of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland.,Geneva Medical School, University Hospitals of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Jeremy Meyer
- Division of Digestive Surgery, University Hospitals of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland.,Surgical Research Unit, University Hospitals of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland.,Geneva Medical School, University Hospitals of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Rémy Sadoul
- Université Grenoble Alpes, Institut des Neurosciences, Grenoble, France
| | - Philippe Morel
- Division of Digestive Surgery, University Hospitals of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland.,Surgical Research Unit, University Hospitals of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland.,Geneva Medical School, University Hospitals of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Carmen Gonelle-Gispert
- Surgical Research Unit, University Hospitals of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland.,Geneva Medical School, University Hospitals of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Leo Hans Bühler
- Division of Digestive Surgery, University Hospitals of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland.,Surgical Research Unit, University Hospitals of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland.,Geneva Medical School, University Hospitals of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
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