The role of exosomes and microRNAs in senescence and aging

• Published in: Advanced drug delivery reviews Vol. 65; no. 3; pp. 368 - 375
• Main Authors: Xu, Dan, Tahara, Hidetoshi
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Netherlands Elsevier B.V 01.03.2013
• Subjects: Age-associated disease; Aging; Aging - genetics; Aging - physiology; Animals; Cellular Senescence - genetics; Cellular Senescence - physiology; Exosome; Exosomes - metabolism; Gene Expression Regulation; Humans; MicroRNA; MicroRNAs - metabolism; Senescence; Signal Transduction; Tumor suppression; Aging; Age-associated disease; Senescence; MicroRNA; Tumor suppression; Exosome
• ISSN: 0169-409X; 1872-8294; 1872-8294
• DOI: 10.1016/j.addr.2012.07.010

Senescence is viewed as a cellular counterpart to aging of tissues and organisms, characterized by an irreversible growth arrest and a combination of changes in cell morphology, function and behavior. microRNAs (miRNAs), the most studied small non-coding RNAs, play an important role in many biological processes by the regulation of gene expression. Recent evidence has shown that miRNAs are contained in exosomes that are tiny vesicles of endocytic origin and released by a variety of different cells as a means for cell-to-cell contact and information transfer. Exosomes and miRNAs have been found to participate in the complex networks of cellular senescence and contribute to aging. Here, we will give an overview on the involvement of secretory factors including exosomes and miRNA in the regulation of cellular senescence, demonstrating the potential role of exosomes and miRNAs in biological processes and signaling pathways of senescence and aging. [Display omitted]