bims-evecad 2026-01-11 papers

Issue of 2026–01–11
three papers selected by
Cliff Dominy

Int J Mol Sci. 2025 Dec 22. pii: 95. [Epub ahead of print]27(1):

Potential Biomarker and Therapeutic Tools for Pathological Cardiac Hypertrophy and Heart Failure: Extracellular Vesicles.

Jinpeng Sun, Dongli Zhou, Min Cheng.

Cardiovascular disease remains the leading global cause of death. Pathological cardiac hypertrophy is a key precursor to heart failure (HF), a condition with high morbidity and mortality. Extracellular vesicles (EVs) have emerged as crucial mediators of intercellular communication, carrying bioactive cargoes that reflect cellular state and influence recipient cell function. This review provides a focused and integrative perspective distinct from broader overviews, by dissecting the dynamic, cell-type-specific roles of EVs across the continuum from pathological hypertrophy to overt HF. We critically synthesize evidence on how EVs derived from cardiomyocytes, fibroblasts, immune cells, and adipocytes orchestrate maladaptive remodeling. Furthermore, we evaluate their dual utility as emerging diagnostic biomarkers and as engineerable therapeutic vectors. By highlighting recent advances in EV engineering for targeted delivery and discussing persistent translational challenges, this article offers a unique mechanistic-to-translational viewpoint aimed at advancing the therapeutic application of EVs in cardiovascular medicine.

Keywords: cardiac hypertrophy; exosomes; extracellular vesicles; heart failure; microRNA

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms27010095

Medicine (Baltimore). 2026 Jan 02. 105(1): e45447

Advancing coronary artery disease diagnosis: Profiling of long noncoding RNAs in small extracellular vesicles from peripheral blood mononuclear cells.

Xuyang Liu, Feng Xiong, Tongtong Zhang.

Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) play pivotal roles in various physiological processes and significantly influence the pathogenesis of cardiovascular diseases. This study aims to explore the potential clinical utility of lncRNAs as serological biomarkers for diagnosing coronary artery disease (CAD). To investigate lncRNA expression profiles, we utilized a lncRNA microarray to analyze small extracellular vesicles (sEVs) isolated from peripheral blood monocytes of 3 CAD patients and 3 age- and sex-matched healthy controls. Differentially expressed lncRNAs in both plasma and monocyte-derived sEVs were validated using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. A diagnostic model for CAD, integrating lncRNA expression data, was developed through Random Forest and nomogram analyses. The analysis identified 89 lncRNAs that were upregulated and 211 that were downregulated in CAD patients compared to healthy controls. Notably, SNAR-E was significantly upregulated, while RPL34-AS1 showed marked downregulation. SNAR-E expression was positively correlated with diabetes mellitus, total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol. Conversely, RPL34-AS1 expression correlated with age, diabetes mellitus, total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and lipoprotein (a). Both SNAR-E and RPL34-AS1 exhibited high diagnostic accuracy for CAD in plasma and sEVs, demonstrating elevated sensitivity and specificity. The diagnostic model demonstrated robust predictive performance and reliability. SNAR-E and RPL34-AS1, detected in sEVs and plasma, offer superior sensitivity and specificity for CAD diagnosis compared to conventional noninvasive diagnostic methods. The diagnostic model integrating these 2 lncRNAs demonstrates substantial accuracy and stability, potentially facilitating early CAD detection and informing clinical decision-making.

Keywords: coronary atherosclerotic heart disease; diagnostics biomarker; long noncoding RNA (lncRNA); small extracellular vesicles (sEVs)

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1097/MD.0000000000045447

J Nanobiotechnology. 2026 Jan 07. 24(1): 21

A novel protein B2URF3 from Akkermansia muciniphila increased by intermittent fasting alleviates vascular calcification.

Vascular calcification (VC) is a major contributor to cardiovascular morbidity and mortality, yet effective therapies are lacking. Here, we show that alternate-day intermittent fasting (IF1:1) attenuates vitamin D-induced VC in mice, whereas a 5:2 regimen is ineffective. The protective effect of IF1:1 is gut microbiota-dependent, particularly through enrichment of Akkermansia muciniphila (Akk). Microbiota-derived extracellular vesicles (EVs) function as nano-scale mediators that bypass the spatiotemporal constraints of bacterial survival to facilitate long-distance communication with host cells, providing a crucial pathway for downstream mechanistic investigation. Akk-derived EVs (Akk-EVs) are internalized by vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs), suppressing osteogenic differentiation and calcification in vitro and in vivo. Proteomic analysis identified B2URF3 as a highly enriched functional protein in Akk-EVs and Akk, which interacts with Aldehyde Dehydrogenase 1 Family Member B1 (ALDH1B1) to inhibit VSMC osteogenic transdifferentiation. Clinically, reduced fecal Akk abundance and lower serum B2URF3 levels were observed in patients with coronary calcification. These findings define a gut-vascular axis by which IF1:1 mitigates VC and nominate Akk-EVs and B2URF3 as potential therapeutic targets and biomarkers.

Keywords: Akkermansia muciniphila; Extracellular vesicles; Gut-vascular axis; Intermittent fasting; Vascular calcification

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12951-025-03948-0