Extracellular Vesicles and Inflammatory Diseases

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are intercellular communication mediators that play crucial roles in a variety of physiological and pathological processes. Their role in inflammatory diseases has received considerable attention in recent years. Inflammatory diseases comprise a broad spectrum of conditions marked by abnormal immune responses and chronic inflammation. Various immune cells and non-immune (endothelial and epithelial) cells produce EVs which transport proteins, nucleic acids, and lipids that can influence biological processes. It is suggested that EVs actively participate in the regulation of inflammatory responses. EVs produced from immune cells can spread inflammatory signals via transporting proinflammatory mediators to recipient cells, recruitment and activation of immune cells at the site of inflammation accelerating the inflammatory cascade, regulation of immune cell polarization, and modification of immunological tolerance and autoimmunity. EVs derived from non-immune cells also contribute to the pathophysiology of inflammatory disorders by inducing endothelial dysfunction, enhancing leukocyte adhesion and transmigration, modifying vascular permeability, etc. Since EVs carry disease-specific cargo and are found in various bodily fluids, they hold promise as potential biomarkers for the diagnosis, prognosis, and monitoring of inflammatory diseases. Moreover, manipulation of EV cargo and their targeted release could represent novel therapeutic strategies for mitigating inflammation and ameliorating inflammatory diseases. Thus, EVs play a pivotal role in the development of inflammatory disorders and understanding their pathophysiology can pave the way for newer diagnostic and therapeutic modalities for such illnesses. This chapter highlights recent advancements in this field, shedding insights on the possibilities of the diagnostic and therapeutic potential of EVs in inflammatory diseases.