已发表论文

细胞外纳米囊泡在急性肾损伤与肾纤维化中的多功能应用:一篇小型综述

 

Authors Xu R, Liu S, Cui Z

Received 24 June 2025

Accepted for publication 15 October 2025

Published 11 November 2025 Volume 2025:20 Pages 13609—13619

DOI https://doi.org/10.2147/IJN.S549249

Checked for plagiarism Yes

Review by Single anonymous peer review

Peer reviewer comments 4

Editor who approved publication: Professor Farooq A. Shiekh

Ruizhe Xu,1 Shuainan Liu,2 Zhenhua Cui1 

1Department of Nephrology, College of Medicine, Yanbian University, Yanji, Jilin, 133000, People’s Republic of China; 2Department of Dermatology, College of Medicine, Yanbian University, Yanji, Jilin, 133000, People’s Republic of China

Correspondence: Zhenhua Cui, Department of Nephrology, College of Medicine, Yanbian University, Yanji, Jilin, 133000, People’s Republic of China, Tel +86 433 273 2352, Email zhenhuacui684@gmail.com

Abstract: Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are released into body fluids, including blood, urine, saliva, pleural and peritoneal fluid, by various cell types through different mechanisms. Various types of EVs differ in structure and function; but, their common characteristic is carrying a variety of bioactive molecules such as RNA, proteins, and lipids. EVs can regulate the function of target cells through interaction with them. Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a common and potentially serious clinical condition characterized by a rapid decline in renal function, manifested as abnormal classic indicators such as serum creatinine and decreased urine output. AKI not only affects the renal function of patients, but it is also closely related to dysfunction in other organs, including the lung, heart, brain, liver, intestine, and immune system. EVs by carrying bioactive molecules (eg, proteins, RNA, lipids) and mediating intercellular communication can play critical roles in inflammation, apoptosis, tubular injury, and fibrosis during AKI. Some key mechanisms of EVs in AKI pathophysiology include promoting tubular cell proliferation, enriching HMGB1/HSP70, leading to NF-Kβ/MAPK activation, and carrying pro-inflammatory molecules (eg, TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6). In the context of renal fibrosis, EVs can directly participate in its pathogenesis by carrying pro-fibrotic factors and regulating fibroblast activity, accelerating the progression of fibrosis. Besides being involved in the pathogenesis, EVs can also serve as potential diagnostic tools and therapeutic agents against AKI and renal fibrosis. This narrative review summarizes the biogenesis, composition, and functional mechanisms of EVs in AKI as well as renal fibrosis pathogenesis, along with highlighting their potential as diagnostic biomarkers and therapeutic targets.

Keywords: extracellular vesicles, exosomes, acute kidney injury, biomarkers