Exosomes as natural nanocarriers for therapeutic and diagnostic use in cardiovascular diseases

Exosomes are nano-sized vesicles released by various cell types and mediate intercellular communication via transferring their biological active cargo. Cell type and different stimuli to the cell dictate the unique composition of exosomal cargo. In cardiovascular system, exosomes have been shown to participate in such processes as cell survival, proliferation, migration, and angiogenesis under both physiological and pathological conditions. In this review, we will describe the role of the exosomes and their cargo from different cell types and the potential to translate into therapeutic options for cardiac regeneration. We will also discuss the possibilities of using exosomes as biomarkers for different pathological conditions in the heart.