Extracellular vesicles and exosomes generated from cystic renal epithelial cells promote cyst growth in autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease

Abstract

Autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease is characterized by the formation of cysts in the kidney. Here the authors show that cystic extracellular vesicles/exosomes play a critical role in regulating the biology and function of adjacent cells, including renal epithelial cells, fibroblasts and macrophages, and contribute to renal cyst growth.