28^th European Nephrology Conference

Extracellular Vesicles in Renal Communication: Implications for Therapeutics

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are emerging as key players in renal communication, offering insights into intercellular signaling and paving the way for novel therapeutic approaches in nephrology. These small membrane-bound vesicles, secreted by various renal cell types, contain a cargo of proteins, lipids, nucleic acids, and metabolites that reflect the physiological or pathological state of the kidney. In renal physiology, EVs facilitate cell-to-cell communication and regulate processes such as inflammation, immune response, and tissue repair. However, in renal diseases, EVs may carry disease-specific biomarkers and contribute to disease progression by promoting fibrosis, inflammation, and endothelial dysfunction. Exploiting the diagnostic and therapeutic potential of EVs holds promise in nephrology. EVs derived from stem cells, for instance, exhibit regenerative and immunomodulatory properties, offering potential therapeutic benefits for acute kidney injury, chronic kidney disease, and renal transplantation. Furthermore, EV-based therapies, such as engineered EVs loaded with therapeutic cargo, show promise in delivering targeted therapies to the kidneys, offering a novel approach to treat renal disorders effectively and improve patient outcomes.