Human Pericardial Fluid Contains Exosomes Enriched with Cardiovascular-Expressed MicroRNAs and Promotes Therapeutic Angiogenesis.

ABSTRACT: The pericardial fluid (PF) is contained in the pericardial sac surrounding the heart. MicroRNA (miRNA) exchange via exosomes (endogenous nanoparticles) contributes to cell-to-cell communication. We investigated the hypotheses that the PF is enriched with miRNAs secreted by the heart and that it mediates vascular responses through exosome exchange of miRNAs. The study was developed using leftover material from aortic valve surgery. We found that in comparison with peripheral plasma, the PF contains exosomes enriched with miRNAs co-expressed in patients' myocardium and vasculature. At a functional level, PF exosomes improved survival, proliferation, and networking of cultured endothelial cells (ECs) and restored the angiogenic capacity of ECs depleted (via Dicer silencing) of their endogenou

SUBMITTER: Beltrami C 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5363195 | biostudies-literature | 2017 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature