Beit-Yannai Elie
Clinical Biochemistry and Pharmacology Department, The Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel.
Curr Eye Res. 2025 Jul 23:1-14. doi: 10.1080/02713683.2025.2515996.
Exosomes, small extracellular vesicles ranging from 30 to 150 nm in diameter, have emerged as crucial mediators of intercellular communication in ocular tissues. This review explores the roles of exosomes in ocular health and disease, focusing on their biogenesis, functions in different eye structures, and potential as diagnostic biomarkers and therapeutic agents.
This comprehensive review synthesizes current research on ocular exosomes, drawing from global studies to present an integrated view of exosome biology in the eye.
Exosomes play vital roles in maintaining retinal homeostasis, corneal function, and lens transparency. They are implicated in the pathogenesis of major eye diseases, including glaucoma, age-related macular degeneration, and diabetic retinopathy. Recent advances have revealed the potential of exosomes as biomarkers for early disease detection and as vehicles for targeted drug delivery. Emerging technologies, such as microfluidics and nanotechnology, enhance exosome isolation and analysis capabilities.
Exosome research in ophthalmology is rapidly advancing, offering promising avenues for novel diagnostic and therapeutic approaches. However, challenges remain in standardization, scalability, and clinical translation. Addressing these issues and ethical considerations will be crucial for realizing the full potential of exosomes in improving ocular health outcomes globally.
外泌体是直径为30至150纳米的小型细胞外囊泡，已成为眼组织中细胞间通讯的关键介质。本综述探讨外泌体在眼部健康和疾病中的作用，重点关注其生物发生、在不同眼部结构中的功能以及作为诊断生物标志物和治疗剂的潜力。
本全面综述综合了当前关于眼部外泌体的研究，借鉴全球研究成果，呈现眼中外泌体生物学的综合观点。
外泌体在维持视网膜稳态、角膜功能和晶状体透明度方面发挥着重要作用。它们与主要眼部疾病的发病机制有关，包括青光眼、年龄相关性黄斑变性和糖尿病性视网膜病变。最近的进展揭示了外泌体作为早期疾病检测生物标志物和靶向药物递送载体的潜力。微流控和纳米技术等新兴技术提高了外泌体的分离和分析能力。
眼科领域的外泌体研究正在迅速发展，为新型诊断和治疗方法提供了有前景的途径。然而，在标准化、可扩展性和临床转化方面仍存在挑战。解决这些问题和伦理考量对于充分发挥外泌体在全球改善眼部健康结果方面的潜力至关重要。
