Review
Extracellular Vesicles as Biomarkers and Therapeutics in Dermatology: A Focus on Exosomes

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jid.2017.04.021Get rights and content
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Extracellular vesicles (exosomes, microvesicles, and apoptotic bodies) are ubiquitous in human tissues, circulation, and body fluids. Of these vesicles, exosomes are of growing interest among investigators across multiple fields, including dermatology. The characteristics of exosomes, their associated cargo (nucleic acids, proteins, and lipids), and downstream functions are vastly different, depending on the cell origin. Here, we review concepts in extracellular vesicle biology, with a focus on exosomes, highlighting recent studies in the field of dermatology. Furthermore, we highlight emerging technical issues associated with isolating and measuring exosomes. Extracellular vesicles, including exosomes, have immediate potential for serving as biomarkers and therapeutics in dermatology over the next decade.

Abbreviations

AB
apoptotic body
ESCRT
endosomal sorting complex required for transport
EV
extracellular vesicle
ILV
intraluminal vesicle
MCC
Merkel cell carcinoma
MSC
mesenchymal stem cell
MVB
multivesicular body
PBMC
peripheral blood mononuclear cell

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