Extracellular vesicle RNA in liver disease

Extracellular vesicle RNA has emerged as a mediator of intercellular communication. Hepatic epithelia, and many other cell types, can release extracellular RNA within membrane-derived vesicles such as exosomes and microvesicles, or as complexes with lipoproteins or proteins. In addition to RNA, extracellular vesicles contain proteins, lipids, and other nucleic acids. Extracellular vesicles can be taken up by other cells within the local microenvironment or at distant sites, and the transfer of their contents can modulate biological processes in recipient cells. Cell-to-cell signaling involving extracellular vesicle RNA can contribute to normal tissue homeostasis, as well as participating in pathophysiological processes involved in diverse hepatic diseases such as liver cancers, injury from drugs, viruses or alcohol, viral infection, fatty liver disease, and biliary tract disease. In addition, extracellular vesicle RNA may have potential value as a biomarker for disease.