Nguyen Hong P T, Simpson Richard J, Salamonsen Lois A, Greening David W
Hudson Institute of Medical Research (previously Prince Henry's Institute), Clayton, Victoria, Australia
Department of Biochemistry and Genetics, La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
Biol Reprod. 2016 Nov;95(5):109. doi: 10.1095/biolreprod.116.143503. Epub 2016 Sep 21.
Extracellular vesicles (EVs), including exosomes (30-150 nm) and microvesicles (100-1500 nm), play important roles in mediating cell-cell communication. Such particles package distinct cargo elements, including lipids, proteins, mRNAs, microRNAs, and DNA, that vary depending on the cell of origin and its phenotype. This cargo can be horizontally transferred to target cells where its components can reprogram the recipient cell to modify its function. EVs have been identified within the uterine cavity of women, sheep, and mice, where they contribute to the microenvironment of sperm transport, and of blastocyst and endometrial preparation for implantation. It is likely that exosomes and microvesicles carry different cargo and coordinate different roles in this intrauterine environment. Understanding and defining these subtypes of EVs is important for future functional studies and clinical translation. Here we critically review the various purification and validation procedures for extracellular vesicle analysis and discuss what is known of endometrial-derived exosome cargo and of their hormonal regulation. The current knowledge of the functions of uterine exosomes, with respect to sperm transport and function, and of their actions on trophectodermal cells to promote implantation are summarized and evaluated in their physiological context. Given the potential importance of this form of cell-cell interactions within the reproductive tract, the critical issues discussed will guide new insights in this rapidly expanding field.
细胞外囊泡（EVs），包括外泌体（30 - 150纳米）和微囊泡（100 - 1500纳米），在介导细胞间通讯中发挥着重要作用。这些颗粒包裹着不同的货物成分，包括脂质、蛋白质、信使核糖核酸（mRNAs）、微小核糖核酸（microRNAs）和脱氧核糖核酸（DNA），其成分因来源细胞及其表型而异。这种货物可以水平转移到靶细胞，其成分可对受体细胞进行重新编程以改变其功能。在女性、绵羊和小鼠的子宫腔内已发现了细胞外囊泡，它们有助于精子运输的微环境以及囊胚和子宫内膜的着床准备。外泌体和微囊泡可能携带不同的货物并在这种子宫内环境中协调不同的作用。了解和定义这些细胞外囊泡的亚型对于未来的功能研究和临床转化很重要。在这里，我们批判性地回顾了用于细胞外囊泡分析的各种纯化和验证程序，并讨论了已知的子宫内膜来源的外泌体货物及其激素调节。总结并评估了目前关于子宫外泌体在精子运输和功能方面的功能，以及它们对滋养外胚层细胞促进着床作用的现有知识，并将其置于生理背景下进行考量。鉴于这种细胞间相互作用形式在生殖道中的潜在重要性，所讨论的关键问题将为这个迅速发展的领域带来新的见解。
