Extracellular vesicle-mediated bidirectional communication between the liver and other organs: mechanistic exploration and prospects for clinical applications

Abstract

Abstract The liver, functioning as an endocrine organ, secretes a variety of substances that influence the activities of other body organs. Conversely, molecules generated by organs such as bone, the gut, and adipose tissue can also impact liver function. Accumulating evidence suggests bidirectional communication between the liver and other organs. However, research on how extracellular vesicles (EVs), which transport active molecular mediators, contribute to this interorgan communication is still in its nascent stages. EVs are capable of transporting functional molecules, including lipids, nucleic acids, and proteins, thereby affecting recipient cells across different organs at the biological level. This review examines the role of EVs in facilitating bidirectional communication between the liver and other organs such as bone, the cardiovascular system, the gut, the pancreas, the brain, the lungs, the kidneys, and adipose tissue. It explores their potential in disease treatment and highlights the challenges in understanding EV-mediated interorgan interactions. The contribution of mediator-carrying EVs to two-way communication between the liver and other organs remains an area of ongoing investigation. Future research will provide a more comprehensive theoretical foundation to clarify the precise mechanisms governing communication between the liver and other organs, pinpoint medical targets, and expand the application of EVs within the realm of precision medicine. Graphical Abstract

Keywords

• Extracellular vesicles
• Exosome
• Liver
• Bidirectional communication
• Targeted therapy