In vitro models of exosome biology and toxicology: New frontiers in biomedical research

• Published in: Toxicology in vitro 2020-04, Vol.64, p.104462-104462, Article 104462
• Main Authors: Bowers, Emma C., Hassanin, Abeer A.I., Ramos, Kenneth S.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Animals; Biocompatibility; Biology; Biomarkers; Biomedical Research - methods; Cargo; Drug delivery; Drug Delivery Systems; Exosomes; Exposure; Extracellular vesicles; Gene expression; Humans; In vitro models; Inhalation; Lipids; Mechanism of action; Membrane vesicles; Microenvironments; Neurodegeneration; Nucleic acids; Pharmacology - methods; Pollutants; Proteins; Respiration; Respiratory tract diseases; Toxicity; Toxicology; Toxicology - methods
• ISSN: 0887-2333; 1879-3177
• DOI: 10.1016/j.tiv.2019.02.016

Exosomes are secreted membrane-bound vesicles containing a cargo of curated nucleic acids, proteins, and lipids that can alter gene expression in recipient cells. Toxic agents can alter exosome synthesis and bioactive cargo composition, thus allowing exosomes to serve as biomarkers of exposure and response. While human and animal studies have identified exosome biomarkers of organ toxicity, in vitro models are ideal to examine biological mechanisms of exosome function. Here, we discuss the importance of exosomes in toxicology research and describe applications of in vitro models in advancing our understanding of their role in exposure-associated disease. This discussion of new research frontiers is in commemoration of the invaluable contributions of Dr. Daniel Acosta to the field of in vitro biology and toxicology. Emerging studies have implicated exosomes as mediators of neurodegeneration by shuttling pollutant-induced pathogenic proteins and miRNAs from afflicted neurons to neighboring cells. Exosomes also provide a mechanistic link between inhalation exposures and airway inflammation, remodeling, and systemic effects. Exosomes provide the means for toxic agents to initiate oncogenic transformation and create favorable tumor microenvironments. Furthermore, exosome-mediated drug delivery can alter drug pharmacologic profiles. Expansion in this field using in vitro models is essential to unlock the potential applications of exosome biology in toxicology. •Exosomes can serve as biomarkers of exposure and response and can mediate disease.•In vitro models are ideal for investigating exosome-associated mechanisms of action.•Exosomes mediate exposure-linked neurodegeneration, pulmonary disease, and cancer.•In vitro models are key to unlocking the potential of exosome biology in toxicology.