Extracellular vesicle-mediated modulation of
angiogenesis
Chiara Gai “, Andrea Carpanetto 1, Maria Chiara Deregibus 1, Giovanni Camussi 2
Affiliation + expand
PMID: 26662176 DOI: 10.14670/HH-11-708
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Abstract
Angiogenesis is a tightly regulated process where a number of different players are involved. Recently,
a role for membrane vesicles actively released from cells has been proposed. Virtually all cell types
may release non-apoptotic membrane vesicles in the nano-size range containing critical components
of the cell of origin. The two main categories of these vesicles include exosomes and microvesicles
that differ for biogenesis but, sharing several features and mechanisms of action, have been
collectively named extracellular vesicles (EV). EV are able to transfer from one cell to another bioactive
lipids, proteins and nucleic acids that may induce changes in the phenotype and functions of the
recipient cells. This new mechanism of cell to cell communication has been involved in modulation of
the angiogenic process. Tumor cells, inflammatory cells and stem/progenitor cells were shown to
release EV with angiogenic properties suggesting that they may act on vascular remodeling in
different physiological and pathological conditions. In this review we discuss the evidence for the role
and the mechanisms of action of EV in vascular homeostasis and in the angiogenic processes
occurring in tumors, inflammation and tissue regeneration.