Issue 17, 2024

Microorganism-derived extracellular vesicles: emerging contributors to female reproductive health

Abstract

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are cell-derived nanoparticles that carry small molecules, nucleic acids, and proteins long distances in the body facilitating cell–cell communication. Microorganism-derived EVs mediate communication between parent cells and host cells, with recent evidence supporting their role in biofilm formation, horizontal gene transfer, and suppression of the host immune system. As lipid-bound bacterial byproducts, EVs demonstrate improved cellular uptake and distribution in vivo compared to cell-free nucleic acids, proteins, or small molecules, allowing these biological nanoparticles to recapitulate the effects of parent cells and contribute to a range of human health outcomes. Here, we focus on how EVs derived from vaginal microorganisms contribute to gynecologic and obstetric outcomes. As the composition of the vaginal microbiome significantly impacts women's health, we discuss bacterial EVs from both healthy and dysbiotic vaginal microbiota. We also examine recent work done to evaluate the role of EVs from common vaginal bacterial, fungal, and parasitic pathogens in pathogenesis of female reproductive tract disease. We highlight evidence for the role of EVs in women's health, gaps in current knowledge, and opportunities for future work. Finally, we discuss how leveraging the innate interactions between microorganisms and mammalian cells may establish EVs as a novel therapeutic modality for gynecologic and obstetric indications.

Graphical abstract: Microorganism-derived extracellular vesicles: emerging contributors to female reproductive health

Article information

Article type
Review Article
Submitted
31 Okt. 2023
Accepted
27 Marts 2024
First published
28 Marts 2024
This article is Open Access
Creative Commons BY license

Nanoscale, 2024,16, 8216-8235

Microorganism-derived extracellular vesicles: emerging contributors to female reproductive health

K. A. Moore, A. P. Petersen and H. C. Zierden, Nanoscale, 2024, 16, 8216 DOI: 10.1039/D3NR05524H

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