Targetting Exosomes as a New Biomarker and Therapeutic Approach for Alzheimer’s Disease

• Main Authors: Yin Q, Ji X, Lv R, Pei JJ, Du Y, Shen C, Hou X
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Dove Medical Press 2020-02-01
• Series: Clinical Interventions in Aging
• Subjects: exosomes; alzheimer’s disease; biomarker; mesenchymal stem cells; therapeutic strategy
• Online Access: https://www.dovepress.com/targetting-exosomes-as-a-new-biomarker-and-therapeutic-approach-for-al-peer-reviewed-article-CIA

Qingqing Yin,1,2 Xiaojuan Ji,3 Renjun Lv,1 Jin-Jing Pei,4 Yifeng Du,5 Chao Shen,1 Xunyao Hou1 1Department of Geriatric Neurology, Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, Shandong, 250021, People’s Republic of China; 2Department of Geriatric Neurology, Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong 250021, People’s Republic of China; 3Department of Geriatrics, Beijing Jishuitan Hospital, Beijing 100035, People’s Republic of China; 4Stress Research Institute, Stockholm University, Stockholm 10691, Sweden; 5Department of Neurology, Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong 250021, People’s Republic of ChinaCorrespondence: Chao ShenDepartment of Geriatrics, Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, Shandong 250021, People’s Republic of ChinaTel [phone]Email [e-mail] HouDepartment of Geriatrics, Department of Geriatric Neurology, Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, Shandong 250021, People’s Republic of ChinaTel [phone]Email [e-mail]: Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disease that mainly occurs in old age and involves progressive cognitive impairment. AD has become a major global issue for public health, with approximately 24 million people currently affected by the disease. Estimates indicted that this number will quadruple by 2050. Because of the high incidence of AD, there is an urgent need to develop new strategies to diagnose and treat AD. Many recent studies have indicated the multiple, yet somewhat controversial, roles of exosomes in AD. Although the underlying mechanisms by which exosomes play a role in AD are still unknown, current evidence suggests that exosomes can carry and spread toxic amyloid-beta, and hyperphosphorylated tau, between cells, and then induce apoptosis, thus contributing to the loss of neurons. In addition, exosomes appear to possess the ability to reduce brain amyloid-beta, and tau hyperphosphorylation, and transfer neuroprotective substances between neural cells. The accumulating data brings hope that the application of exosomes may be helpful for early diagnostics and the identification of new therapeutic targets for AD. Here, we summarized the various roles of exosomes, and how they might relate to the pathogenesis of AD. We also highlight the potential application of exosomes as a therapeutic option in AD therapy.Keywords: exosomes, alzheimer’s disease, biomarker, mesenchymal stem cells, therapeutic strategy