Open Access

Current and prospective applications of exosomal microRNAs in pulmonary fibrosis (Review)

  • Authors:
    • Tao Yang
    • Jian Wang
    • Jiaying Zhao
    • Yang Liu
  • View Affiliations

  • Published online on: January 24, 2022     https://doi.org/10.3892/ijmm.2022.5092
  • Article Number: 37
  • Copyright: © Yang et al. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of Creative Commons Attribution License.

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Abstract

Pulmonary fibrosis (PF) is a chronic, progressive, irreversible and life‑threatening lung disease. However, the pathogenesis and molecular mechanisms of this condition remain unclear. Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are structures derived from the plasma membrane, with a diameter ranging from 30 nm to 5 µm, that play an important role in cell‑to‑cell communications in lung disease, particularly between epithelial cells and the pulmonary microenvironment. In particular, exosomes are a type of EV that can deliver cargo molecules, including endogenous proteins, lipids and nucleic acids, such as microRNAs (miRNAs/miRs). These cargo molecules are encapsulated in lipid bilayers through target cell internalization, receptor‑ligand interactions or lipid membrane fusion. miRNAs are single‑stranded RNA molecules that regulate cell differentiation, proliferation and apoptosis by degrading target mRNAs or inhibiting translation to modulate gene expression. The aim of the present review was to discuss the current knowledge available on exosome biogenesis, composition and isolation methods. The role of miRNAs in the pathogenesis of PF was also reviewed. In addition, emerging diagnostic and therapeutic properties of exosomes and exosomal miRNAs in PF were described, in order to highlight the potential applications of exosomal miRNAs in PF.
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March-2022
Volume 49 Issue 3

Print ISSN: 1107-3756
Online ISSN:1791-244X

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Copy and paste a formatted citation
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Spandidos Publications style
Yang T, Wang J, Zhao J and Liu Y: Current and prospective applications of exosomal microRNAs in pulmonary fibrosis (Review). Int J Mol Med 49: 37, 2022
APA
Yang, T., Wang, J., Zhao, J., & Liu, Y. (2022). Current and prospective applications of exosomal microRNAs in pulmonary fibrosis (Review). International Journal of Molecular Medicine, 49, 37. https://doi.org/10.3892/ijmm.2022.5092
MLA
Yang, T., Wang, J., Zhao, J., Liu, Y."Current and prospective applications of exosomal microRNAs in pulmonary fibrosis (Review)". International Journal of Molecular Medicine 49.3 (2022): 37.
Chicago
Yang, T., Wang, J., Zhao, J., Liu, Y."Current and prospective applications of exosomal microRNAs in pulmonary fibrosis (Review)". International Journal of Molecular Medicine 49, no. 3 (2022): 37. https://doi.org/10.3892/ijmm.2022.5092