Ovčar Andreja, Kovačič Borut
Department of Reproductive Medicine and Gynecological Endocrinology, University Medical Centre Maribor, 2000 Maribor, Slovenia.
Int J Mol Sci. 2024 Dec 24;26(1):42. doi: 10.3390/ijms26010042.
Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are lipid bilayer-bound particles released from cells that cannot replicate on their own, play a crucial role in intercellular communication, and are implicated in various physiological and pathological processes. Within the domain of embryo culture media research, extensive studies have been conducted to evaluate embryo viability by analyzing spent culture medium. Advanced methodologies such as metabolomic profiling, proteomic and genomic analyses, transcriptomic profiling, non-coding RNA assessments, and oxidative status measurements have been employed to further understand the molecular characteristics of embryos and improve selection criteria for successful implantation. In the field of EVs, only a limited number of studies have been conducted on embryo-conditioned medium, indicating a significant gap in knowledge regarding the potential role of EVs in embryo development and implantation. Therefore, this review aims to evaluate current research findings on EVs enriched from animal and human embryo spent medium. By unraveling the potential link between embryo-derived EVs and embryo selection in clinical settings, such research might enhance embryo-selection methods in assisted reproductive technologies, eventually increasing the success rates of fertility treatments and advancing our understanding of mechanisms underlying successful embryo development and implantation in humans.
细胞外囊泡(EVs)是从细胞中释放的脂质双层包裹的颗粒,它们无法自行复制,在细胞间通讯中发挥关键作用,并参与各种生理和病理过程。在胚胎培养基研究领域,已经进行了大量研究,通过分析用过的培养基来评估胚胎活力。代谢组学分析、蛋白质组学和基因组分析、转录组分析、非编码RNA评估以及氧化状态测量等先进方法已被用于进一步了解胚胎的分子特征,并改进成功着床的选择标准。在细胞外囊泡领域,关于胚胎条件培养基的研究数量有限,这表明在细胞外囊泡在胚胎发育和着床中的潜在作用方面存在重大知识空白。因此,本综述旨在评估从动物和人类胚胎用过的培养基中富集的细胞外囊泡的当前研究结果。通过揭示临床环境中胚胎来源的细胞外囊泡与胚胎选择之间的潜在联系,此类研究可能会改进辅助生殖技术中的胚胎选择方法,最终提高生育治疗的成功率,并增进我们对人类胚胎成功发育和着床机制的理解。