Exosomal microRNA signaling pathway (null)

Exosomal microRNA signaling refers to the process wherein microRNAs are selectively packaged into exosomes—small, membrane-bound extracellular vesicles—that are secreted from donor cells and taken up by recipient cells. These exosomal miRNAs act as potent regulators of gene expression, modulating cellular processes such as proliferation, differentiation, apoptosis, and immune activation by targeting mRNA molecules post-transcriptionally in recipient cells. This mechanism facilitates long-range intercellular communication, influencing tissue homeostasis, inflammation, regeneration, and pathology, notably in cancer progression and cardiovascular disease. Therapeutically, exosomal miRNAs are attractive both as disease biomarkers and as vehicles for drug delivery, but their complex biological roles and challenges in targeting specificity remain active areas of investigation.

Other names

Exosomal miRNA pathwaymicroRNA-mediated exosome signalingexosome-associated microRNA signaling

Inhibition of exosome secretion (e.g., GW4869 inhibits sphingomyelinase to block miRNA packaging into exosomes); Modulation of exosomal miRNA levels (e.g., miRNA mimics or antagomirs); Engineered exosome delivery of miRNAs or drugs (targeting cancer cells, modulating immune response).