Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research ›› 2022, Vol. 26 ›› Issue (19): 3065-3070.doi: 10.12307/2022.387

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Important role of exosomes-mediated hypoxia-related signaling pathways in the occurrence and progression of diseases

Gu Xia, Wang Pingyi, Zhao Wanhua, Lin Yushi, Li Yimei, Li Wenhua   

  1. School of Medicine, Xizang Minzu University, Xianyang 712082, Shaanxi Province, China
  • Received:2021-05-20 Revised:2021-07-21 Accepted:2021-07-29 Online:2022-07-08 Published:2021-12-29
  • Contact: Li Wenhua, Professor, Master’s supervisor, School of Medicine, Xizang Minzu University, Xianyang 712082, Shaanxi Province, China
  • About author:Gu Xia, Master candidate, School of Medicine, Xizang Minzu University, Xianyang 712082, Shaanxi Province, China
  • Supported by:
    National Natural Science Foundation of China, No. 81760332 (to LWH); Natural Science Foundation Youth Project of Tibet Autonomous Region Science and Technology Department, No. XZ202001ZR0053G (to WPY); Tibet Autonomous Region Science and Technology Department and School Joint Project, No. XZ202101ZR0100G (to WPY)

Abstract: BACKGROUND: At present, exosomes have made remarkable progress as new biomarkers for disease diagnosis in hypoxia-related diseases and tumor diseases, and have become potential players in the prevention and treatment of hypoxia-related diseases.
OBJECTIVE: To explore the mechanism of exosomes interference with hypoxia-related signaling pathways to change the occurrence and development of hypoxia-related diseases at the molecular level, so as to provide a basis for the research and treatment of hypoxia-related diseases.
METHODS: Using the search terms of “hypoxia, exosomes, signal pathway” in Chinese and English, articles published from January 2016 to May 2021 were retrieved from PubMed, Medline, CNKI, and Wanfang databases. Finally, 56 articles were included for analysis. 
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: (1) In hypoxic environment, exosomes are closely related to some hypoxia-related signaling pathways. Exosomes-mediated hypoxia signaling pathways may be involved in altering the pathogenesis of hypoxia-related diseases and tumor. (2) Through hypoxia inducible factor, phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/serine/threonine kinase, nuclear factor κB, transforming growth factor β and other hypoxia-related signaling pathways, exosomes released by donor cells, carrying their information and accepted by recipient cells, mediate important physiological and pathological processes,  such as immune response, cell proliferation, migration, angiogenesis, and tumor invasion in diseases. (3) In hypoxia-related inflammatory diseases, exosomes can induce the activation of the above-mentioned hypoxia signaling pathways to reduce inflammatory damage. (4) However, in tumor diseases, exosomes mediate the activation of above hypoxia-related signaling pathways, which accelerate the angiogenesis of tumor sites and promote the invasion and metastasis of tumor cells, resulting in the progression of tumor. This effect may be associated with the cell origin of exosomes. Further exploration is needed to understand its specific regulatory mechanism.

Key words: hypoxia, exosomes, signaling pathway, hypoxia inducible factor, hypoxic disease, inflammation, tumor, cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases

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