Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research ›› 2026, Vol. 30 ›› Issue (1): 218-228.doi: 10.12307/2025.554

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Role of extracellular vesicle-mediated intercellular communication in female follicle reproduction, preimplantation embryo development and implantation

Liu Jing1, 2, Zhao Xiaoli1, 2, Xia Tian1, 2   

  1. 1First Teaching Hospital of Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin 300193, China; 2National Clinical Research Center for Chinese Medicine Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Tianjin 300193, China
  • Received:2024-07-04 Accepted:2024-09-21 Online:2026-01-08 Published:2025-07-02
  • Contact: Xia Tian, MD, Chief physician, Professor, Doctoral supervisor, First Teaching Hospital of Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin 300193, China; National Clinical Research Center for Chinese Medicine Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Tianjin 300193, China
  • About author:Liu Jing, MD, First Teaching Hospital of Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin 300193, China; National Clinical Research Center for Chinese Medicine Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Tianjin 300193, China
  • Supported by:
    National Natural Science Foundation of China, No. 82274570 (to XT)

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Extracellular vesicles mediate intercellular signal transduction through the proteins, nucleic acids, and lipids they carry, thereby influencing the function of target cells. This vesicle-mediated communication mechanism is involved in regulating female reproductive development.
OBJECTIVE: To summarize and analyze the regulatory roles of extracellular vesicle-mediated intercellular communication in female reproductive development.
METHODS: A search was conducted in the PubMed database using the search terms “extracellular vesicles, exosomes, reproduction, maternal-embryo communication, maternal-fetal crosstalk, embryo implantation, endometrium, oviduct, follicle.” The initial screening was carried out by reading the titles and abstracts of the literature, and then the literature with poor relevance to the research purpose, outdated content, and duplication was excluded according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Ultimately, 69 relevant articles were included for comprehensive analysis.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: Extracellular vesicles play a crucial role in key processes of female reproductive development, from folliculogenesis to implantation. (1) Extracellular vesicles mediate intercellular communication within the follicle, particularly the interactions between oocytes and follicular cells, which are essential for follicle development and maturation. (2) Extracellular vesicles and their contents facilitate interactions between the embryo and the fallopian tube, influencing the trajectory of embryonic development. (3) Extracellular vesicles and their contents promote implantation by mediating bidirectional communication between the embryo and the endometrium. Uterine-derived extracellular vesicles regulate processes such as embryo adhesion, invasion, and decidualization, while embryo-derived extracellular vesicles modulate endometrial receptivity, convey embryonic signals, and adjust the endometrial microenvironment. Studying the roles of extracellular vesicles in female reproductive development can provide valuable insights into the mechanisms of infertility and support the development of new therapeutic strategies. 


Key words: extracellular vesicles, intercellular communication, maternal-embryo communication, implantation, follicle, oviduct, embryo, endometrium, review

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