bims-evecad 2025-09-28 papers

Issue of 2025–09–28
two papers selected by
Cliff Dominy

Semin Cancer Biol. 2025 Sep 18. pii: S1044-579X(25)00120-8. [Epub ahead of print]116 59-68

Extracellular vesicles and the lipid messengers: The adipose tissue connection to cancer and metabolic disease.

Belen Picatoste, Heidy M Guaman, Marina Herrero-Matesanz, Laura V Piñeres, Alberto Benito-Martin.

Adipose tissue is essential for maintaining metabolic balance by serving as a major lipid depot for energy storage and release, while also secreting adipokines and extracellular vesicles that regulate inflammation and insulin sensitivity. The lipidic content of adipose tissue not only supports energy homeostasis but also contributes to its inflammatory profile, with altered lipid composition being a key factor in the pathogenesis of metabolic diseases such as obesity, type 2 diabetes, and cardiovascular disorders. Moreover, adipose tissue-derived extracellular vesicles, enriched in lipids, have emerged as significant mediators of intercellular communication, influencing local and systemic processes, including tumor progression. Adipose tissue-derived extracellular vesicles (EVs) have emerged as pivotal mediators of intercellular communication, with increasing evidences describing their role in microenvironment communication. In this review, we explore the diverse lipid species identified within EVs and examine lipidomics as a powerful and emerging technique to decode their functional roles. By analyzing the lipid cargo of these vesicles, we highlight their potential influence on cancer progression and cardiovascular disease. Furthermore, we discuss the broader implications of EV-derived lipids in metabolic regulation and disease pathophysiology. Understanding the complex interplay between EV lipid composition and pathological processes could open new avenues for biomarker discovery and therapeutic interventions in oncology and cardiovascular medicine.

Keywords: Cancer; Cardiovascular disease; Extracellular vesicles; Lipids

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.semcancer.2025.09.003

Int J Mol Sci. 2025 Sep 12. pii: 8884. [Epub ahead of print]26(18):

Targeted Atherosclerosis Treatment Using Vascular Cell Adhesion Molecule-1 Targeting Peptide-Engineered Plant-Derived Extracellular Vesicles.

Chanwoo Choi, Won Jong Rhee.

Atherosclerosis is a chronic vascular disease characterized by lipid accumulation, endothelial dysfunction, and persistent inflammation, which can ultimately lead to life-threatening complications, such as myocardial infarction and stroke. Current therapies primarily focus on lowering cholesterol levels or preventing blood clot formation. However, the multifactorial and dynamic nature of atherosclerotic progression is not addressed. We designed a therapeutic platform based on onion-derived extracellular vesicles (Onex), nanovesicles originating from onions with excellent biocompatibility and strong anti-inflammatory effects. Onex was engineered with the VHPK peptide, to construct V-Onex, specifically targeting vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1), which is strongly upregulated in inflamed endothelial cells during atherosclerosis. Engineered V-Onex exhibited excellent biocompatibility and stability without inducing cytotoxicity in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) and THP-1 cells. V-Onex selectively accumulated in inflamed endothelial cells and significantly reduced the expression of inflammatory markers in HUVECs and THP-1 cells. It also suppresses the migration of endothelial cells and reduces their interaction with monocytes, both of which contribute to plaque formation. In THP-1 cells, V-Onex inhibited the uptake of oxidized low-density lipoprotein and reduced foam cell formation. Collectively, V-Onex is a promising modular targeted nanovesicle platform capable of modulating multiple pathological processes associated with atherosclerosis.

Keywords: VCAM-1; VHPK peptide; atherosclerosis; extracellular vesicle; onion

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms26188884