bims-migras 2025-07-06 papers

Issue of 2025–07–06
four papers selected by
Cliff Dominy

Cell Death Discov. 2025 Jul 01. 11(1): 296

The biogenesis and biological roles of migrasomes in human diseases.

Yifan Zhang, Wei Chen, Jiageng Zhu, Luwei Xu.

Migrasomes are recently identified extracellular vesicles that are specifically generated by migrating cells. These pomegranate-like, membrane-bound organelles are released at the trailing edge during cell migration and play crucial roles in cell-to-cell communication, intercellular signaling, and tissue remodeling. Migrasomes selectively package various molecular components, including proteins, lipids, and RNA, facilitating a unique form of cellular communication known as migracytosis. They are involved in numerous physiological and pathological processes, including immune responses, cancer metastasis, tissue repair, and embryonic development. In this review, we provide an in-depth analysis of the biogenesis, structural features, and molecular composition of migrasomes. We further explore the emerging roles of migrasomes in disease pathogenesis, particularly their potential in cancer, neurodegenerative diseases, and immune modulation. Overall, this review aims to offer comprehensive insights into the latest research on migrasomes, while addressing the challenges in their study and potential avenues for future clinical implementation.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41420-025-02569-8

Sci China Life Sci. 2025 Jul 02.

The mechanisms and functions of mitochondria-encapsulating extracellular vesicles.

Danli Sheng, Xiangyu Chen, Jing Shi, Hongyun Tang.

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are membrane-bound subcellular entities that perform crucial roles in cellular communication and the release of intracellular contents. Traditionally, EVs have been recognized for encapsulating a variety of biomolecules, including DNA, RNA, proteins, and metabolites. However, recent advancements in research have revealed that EVs can also encapsulate organelles, with mitochondria emerging as a significant cargo. This review delves into the burgeoning field of mitochondria-encapsulating EVs, such as mitophers, migrasomes, and exophers, along with other mitochondria-harboring EVs that are less characterized. We explore the discovery, distinctive features, and functional roles of these EVs in regulating mitochondrial quality and quantity, under both physiological and pathological conditions. The mechanisms underlying the generation of these vesicles are also examined. Additionally, we discuss the challenges and future directions in the study of mitochondria-containing EVs. Given their potential to serve as diagnostic biomarkers and therapeutic tools, these mitochondria-embedded vesicles represent a promising frontier in molecular and cell biology, with significant implications for understanding and treating a range of diseases.

Keywords: exopher; extracellular vesicles; migrasome; mitochondrial quality control; mitochondrial quantity control; mitocytosis; mitopher

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11427-024-2905-5

Front Immunol. 2025 ;16 1625958

Harnessing extracellular vesicles to tame inflammation: a new strategy for atherosclerosis therapy.

Jiawei Li, Tianliang Wen, Xiaoran Li, Ruoyao Cheng, Junyi Shen, Xin Wang, Zhaoqi Guo, Zhengjie Teng, Lin Yi, Fan Zhang.

Atherosclerosis (AS) is a chronic inflammatory disease driven by immune dysregulation and vascular inflammation. Extracellular vesicles (EVs) play pivotal roles in intercellular communication, modulating immune responses and inflammatory cascades during AS progression. EVs derived from endothelial cells, macrophages, vascular smooth muscle cells, and platelets transport bioactive molecules (e.g., miRNAs, cytokines) that regulate endothelial dysfunction, macrophage polarization, and plaque instability. Pro-inflammatory EVs exacerbate oxidative stress, foam cell formation, and neutrophil extracellular trap (NET) release, while anti-inflammatory EVs from mesenchymal stem cells or engineered sources attenuate disease by promoting M2 macrophage polarization and suppressing NF-κB signaling. This review highlights the dual roles of EVs in AS immunopathology and their therapeutic potential as biomarkers or nanocarriers for targeted anti-inflammatory interventions. Understanding EV-mediated immune crosstalk may unveil novel strategies for atherosclerosis management.

Keywords: atherosclerosis; biomarkers; exosomes; extracellular vesicles; intercellular communication; microvesicles; nanotherapy

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3389/fimmu.2025.1625958

Eur J Med Res. 2025 Jul 01. 30(1): 524

Natural and engineered extracellular vesicles in vascular diseases: a focus on therapeutic effects, challenges and prospective.

Mahdi Ahmadi, Reza Abbasi, Rana Keyhanmanesh, Razieh Momen Mesgin, Nima Abdyazdani, Maryam Shoaran, Jafar Rezaie.

Vascular diseases (VD), such as cardiovascular diseases, cerebrovascular diseases, and diabetic diseases, originate from numerous pathophysiological changes and remain a serious public health concern. Extracellular vesicles (EVs) produced by cells contribute to regulating VD either dangerously or beneficially. The term EVs refers to the heterogeneous population of vesicles, such as exosomes and microvesicles that participate in cell communication during VD. EVs from different cells, especially those of stem cells, show great promise in the improvement of various VD. They can repair cellular damage, enhance and recover cell function, multiply cells, and prevent cell death and inflammation in specific tissues/cells. EVs have the potential to enhance conditions like cardiovascular disease, cerebrovascular disorders, and complications related to diabetes. Furthermore, an increasing amount of evidence indicates that EVs can be altered/loaded to create a drug delivery system for transporting therapeutic agents to cells, improving different VD. Different methods are used to engineer EVs to improve the efficacy of natural EVs. Despite the potential clinical application of EVs, this field facese many problems that need to be addressed. These limitations and challenges have unmasked the unexpected complexity of EVs regulatory mechanisms, and inspiring advances have been achieved.

Keywords: Cardiovascular disease; Cerebrovascular diseases; Exosomes; Extracellular vesicle; MiRNA

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s40001-025-02822-x