Pomatto Margherita A C, Gai Chiara, Deregibus Maria Chiara, Tetta Ciro, Camussi Giovanni
Stem Cell Laboratory, Department of Medical Sciences, University of Turin, Turin, Italy.
2i3T Scarl, Univerity of Turin, Turin, Italy.
Int J Endocrinol. 2018 Apr 1;2018:4302096. doi: 10.1155/2018/4302096. eCollection 2018.
RNA molecules are essential and fine regulators of important biological processes. Their role is well documented also in the endocrine system, both in physiological and pathological conditions. Increasing interest is arising about the function and the importance of noncoding RNAs shuttled by extracellular vesicles (EVs). In fact, EV membrane protects nucleic acids from enzyme degradation. Nowadays, the research on EVs and their cargoes, as well as their biological functions, faces the lack of standardization in EV purification. Here, the main techniques for EV isolation are discussed and compared for their advantages and vulnerabilities. Despite the possible discrepancy due to methodological variability, EVs and their RNA content are reported to be key mediators of intercellular communication in pathologies of main endocrine organs, including the pancreas, thyroid, and reproductive system. In particular, the present work describes the role of RNAs contained in EVs in pathogenesis and progression of several metabolic dysfunctions, including obesity and diabetes, and their related manifestations. Their importance in the establishment and progression of thyroid autoimmunity disorders and complicated pregnancy is also discussed. Preliminary studies highlight the attractive possibility to use RNAs contained in EVs as biomarkers suggesting their exploitation for new diagnostic approaches in endocrinology.
RNA分子是重要生物过程的关键且精细的调节因子。其作用在生理和病理状态下的内分泌系统中也有充分记载。细胞外囊泡（EV）携带的非编码RNA的功能和重要性正引发越来越多的关注。事实上，EV膜可保护核酸不被酶降解。如今，关于EV及其所载物质以及它们的生物学功能的研究面临着EV纯化缺乏标准化的问题。在此，将讨论并比较EV分离的主要技术及其优缺点。尽管由于方法学差异可能存在差异，但据报道，EV及其RNA含量是包括胰腺、甲状腺和生殖系统在内的主要内分泌器官疾病中细胞间通讯的关键介质。特别是，本研究描述了EV中所含RNA在包括肥胖症和糖尿病在内的几种代谢功能障碍及其相关表现的发病机制和进展中的作用。还讨论了它们在甲状腺自身免疫性疾病的发生和进展以及复杂妊娠中的重要性。初步研究突出了将EV中所含RNA用作生物标志物的诱人可能性，这表明可将其用于内分泌学的新诊断方法。
