Exosomes Identified As Key Mediators In Obstructive Sleep Apnea And Its Comorbidities

Obstructive slumber apnea (OSA), a world nationalist wellness rumor marked by repeated precocious airway illness during sleep, is tied to divers diseases-from cardiovascular conditions to cancer. Now, a broad reappraisal published successful Chinese Medical Journal identifies exosomes arsenic captious mediators successful this process.

Exosomes, 30-150 nm extracellular vesicles, shuttle cargo for illustration microRNAs (miRNAs), proteins, and lipids betwixt cells. The review, led by researchers from Central South University's Second Xiangya Hospital, notes OSA-induced intermittent hypoxia (IH) and slumber fragmentation (SF) change exosome secretion and content. These modified exosomes past disrupt compartment function: for example, OSA patients' plasma exosomes trigger endothelial compartment aging and dysfunction, accelerating atherosclerosis, while exosomal miR-20a-5p damages hippocampal neurons, worsening cognitive impairment.

In metabolic diseases, adipose tissue-derived exosomes pinch miR-155 induce insulin guidance successful OSA, and exosomal miR-421 promotes non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) by inhibiting liver compartment pathways. For cancer, IH-altered exosomes boost lung crab and melanoma compartment proliferation; notably, continuous affirmative airway unit (CPAP)-OSA's gold-standard treatment-partially reverses these exosome-driven effects.

Yet exosomes are not conscionable pathogenic. The reappraisal spotlights their therapeutic potential: mesenchymal stem compartment (MSC)-derived exosomes pinch miR-122 heighten chemotherapy sensitivity successful liver cancer, while microglial exosomal miR-146a-5p reduces OSA-related neuroinflammation.

Exosomes span OSA and its comorbidities. Further investigation could unlock exosome-based biomarkers and therapies to amended OSA patients' outcomes."

Ruoyun Ouyang, corresponding author