(TKP2021-EGA-23) Támogató: Innovációs és Technológiai Minisztérium
(VEKOP-2.3.2-16-2016-000002)
(VEKOP-2.3.3-15-2017-00016)
(739593) Támogató: Horizon 2020
(RRF-2.3.1-21-2022-00003)
(ÚNKP-22-4-I-SE-13)
Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are cell-derived membrane structures that are formed
by budding from the plasma membrane or originate from the endosomal system. These
microparticles (100 nm–100 µm) or nanoparticles (>100 nm) can transport complex cargos
to other cells and, thus, provide communication and intercellular regulation. Various
cells, such as hepatocytes, liver sinusoidal endothelial cells (LSECs) or hepatic
stellate cells (HSCs), secrete and take up EVs in the healthy liver, and the amount,
size and content of these vesicles are markedly altered under pathophysiological conditions.
A comprehensive knowledge of the modified EV-related processes is very important,
as they are of great value as biomarkers or therapeutic targets. In this review, we
summarize the latest knowledge on hepatic EVs and the role they play in the homeostatic
processes in the healthy liver. In addition, we discuss the characteristic changes
of EVs and their potential exacerbating or ameliorating effects in certain liver diseases,
such as non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), alcoholic fatty liver disease (AFLD),
drug induced liver injury (DILI), autoimmune hepatitis (AIH), hepatocarcinoma (HCC)
and viral hepatitis.
