Progress in research on the role of exosomal miRNAs in the diagnosis and treatment of cardiovascular diseases

Figures

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  FIGURE 1. Formation of exosomes. Initially, the cytoplasmic membrane is in the early inner body, which is again formed in the advanced inner body to the inner bud and finally secreted out of the cells.

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  FIGURE 2. Separation and extraction of exosomes. Centrifugal speeds of 300 × g, 2,000 × g, and 10,000 × g are used to remove cells and debris, while apoptotic bodies and large vesicles are eventually obtained at 100,000 × g.

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  FIGURE 3. Ultrafiltration. The principle is based on the size of the exosomes, and the sample is separated using a special aperture filter, which removes molecules such as proteins, while retaining the exosomes.

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  FIGURE 4. Pathway and mechanism of exosomal miRNAs. In ECs, miRNA genes are transcribed into primary miRNAs (pri-miRNAs) initially and then form precursor miRNAs (pre-miRNAs) processed by the Drosha complex. Because of the exportin5 complex, the pre-miRNAs are exported into the cytoplasm. Finally, through the digestion of the Dicer complex, the pre-miRNAs become mature. Mature miRNAs are sorted into exosomes depending on the nSMase2-dependent pathway, the hnRNP pathway, etc.

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  FIGURE 5. Exosomal miRNAs which are related to cardiovascular diseases. There are various miRNAs in the exosomes, and they depend on the special pathway to affect the diseases.