Exosomes: intriguing mediators of intercellular communication in the organism’s response to noxious agents

Authors

  • Ante Vučemilović

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.2478/aiht-2024-75-3923

Keywords:

biological mediators, extracellular vesicles, harmful agents, intercellular crosstalk, signalling

Abstract

Exosomes are small extracellular vesicles that range from 30 to 150 nm in size and are formed through cellular endocytosis. They consist of proteins, lipids, and nucleic acids at varying ratios and quantities. The composition and spatiotemporal dynamics of exosomes suggest that they play a crucial role in intercellular communication. The information conveyed by exosomes significantly impacts the regulation of health and disease states in the organism. The term “noxious” refers to all harmful environmental agents and conditions that can disrupt the physiological equilibrium and induce pathological states, regardless whether of radiological, biological, or chemical origin. This review comprehensively examines the presence of such noxious agents within the organism in relation to exosome formation and function. Furthermore, it explores the cause-effect relationship between noxious agents and exosomes, aiming to restore physiological homeostasis and prepare the organism for defence against harmful agents. Regardless of the specific bioinformatic content associated with each noxious agent, synthesis of data on the interactions between various types of noxious agents and exosomes reveals that an organized defence against these agents is unachievable without the support of exosomes. Consequently, exosomes are identified as the primary communication and information system within an organism, with their content being pivotal in maintaining the health-disease balance. 

Author Biography

  • Ante Vučemilović

    Lt. Col. Ante Vučemilović, PhD
    Assistant Professor
    Institution: Ministry of Defense, Croatian Defense Academy "Dr. Franjo Tuđman", Ilica 256b, Zagreb
    Email: ante.vucemilovic1969@gmail.com
    Current Position: Head of the Combat Support Branch Section, Office of the Dean

    Areas of Expertise:

    • Education and Training
    • University courses: Contemporary CBRN Threats and Toxicological Consequences (Course Leader), Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD), Environmental Protection, Toxic Industrial Chemicals
    • Research focus: Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD), Toxicology of Chemical Warfare Agents, Identification of Biological Weapons, CBRN Tactics, WMD and CBRN (Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear) Threat Strategies

    CBRN Career: Active from 1994 – Present

    Education:

    • PhD in Natural Sciences (Molecular and Cellular Biology)
    • Assistant Professor in the field of Biomedicine and Health
    • Educational Background:
      • Bachelor's, Master's, and PhD: Faculty of Science, University of Zagreb
      • Research Associate and Assistant Professor: Faculty of Medicine, University of Zagreb

    Professional Development:

    • Chemical Weapons Protection Chief Instructors Training Programme, ABC Laboratory, Spiez, Switzerland (2001)
    • Swiss Emergency Field Training Advanced Course Programme, ABC Laboratory, Spiez, Switzerland (2002)
    • Advanced Laboratory Skills Training Course, NATO NBC Reference Chemical Laboratory, Slovakia (2014)
    • NATO School, Oberammergau, Germany (2005, 2011, 2017)

    Fields of Specialization:

    • Toxicology of Chemical Warfare Agents and Toxic Chemicals
    • Advanced Laboratory Skills: Detection, Identification, and Synthesis of Chemical Warfare Agents
    • Chemical Weapons Defense (Training)
    • Technologies Related to Weapons of Mass Destruction
    • Identification of Biological Weapons Using Molecular-Genetic Methods
    • Strategic-Level CBRN (NATO CBRN Defense Policy)

    Work Experience:

    • Military Education and Training
    • Work in CBRN Laboratories
    • Handling Chemical Warfare Agents and Toxic Chemicals
    • CBRN Detection and Identification

    Publications:

    • 6 original scientific papers
    • 17 other publications and presentations
    • University Textbook: Weapons of Mass Destruction: Chemical and Biological Weapons (2019)

    Professional Memberships:

    • Head of the Graduate Program in Military Leadership and Management
    • ERASMUS Coordinator for the University Military Program
    • ECTS Coordinator for the University Military Program
    • Member of the National Commission for the Implementation of the Chemical Weapons Convention (2008 – Present)
    • Member of the National Commission for the Implementation of the National Strategy for the Prevention of WMD Proliferation (2013 – Present)
    • Member of Croatia’s Expert Team for Monitoring the Implementation of the Biological Weapons Convention (2010 – 2014)

Downloads

Published

17.12.2024

Issue

Vol. 75 No. 4 (2024)

Section

Review

How to Cite

1.
Exosomes: intriguing mediators of intercellular communication in the organism’s response to noxious agents. Arh Hig Rada Toksikol [Internet]. 2024 Dec. 17 [cited 2024 Dec. 22];75(4). Available from: https://arhiv.imi.hr/index.php/arhiv/article/view/1793