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Abstract
<p class="first" id="P2">Extracellular vesicles are emerging as potent vehicles of
intercellular communication.
In this review, we focus on a subclass of extracellular vesicles called
<i>exosomes</i>. Previously considered an unimportant catch-all, exosomes have recently
been recognized
for their role in various diseases and their potential for therapeutic use. We have
examined the role of exosomes after human lung transplantation and have delineated
the composition of circulating exosomes isolated from lung transplant recipients diagnosed
with acute and chronic rejection, primary graft dysfunction, and respiratory viral
infection. The presence of lung-associated self-antigens (K-alpha 1 Tubulin and collagen
V) and mismatched donor HLA in exosomes isolated from lung transplant recipients signifies
that these exosomes originated in the transplanted lungs, and therefore dramatically
affect transplant biology and immune pathways. Exosomes released from transplanted
organs also carry other proteins, costimulatory molecules, and nucleic acids. Therefore,
these molecules may be used as biomarkers for allograft rejection and immunity.
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