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Cited by 91Extracellular vesicles in diseaseRNA Research and SplicingMicroRNA in disease regulation

Revisiting extracellular RNA release, processing, and function

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Tosar, Juan Pablo, Witwer, Kenneth, Cayota, Alfonso·2021·Trends in Biochemical Sciences
DOI 10.1016/j.tibs.2020.12.008PMC PMC8122015
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Abstract

It is assumed that RNAs enriched in extracellular samples were selected for release by their parental cells. However, recent descriptions of extracellular RNA (exRNA) biogenesis and their differential stabilities question this assumption, as they could produce identical outcomes. Here, we share our opinion about the importance of considering both selective and nonselective mechanisms for RNA release into the extracellular environment. In doing so, we provide new perspectives on RNA-mediated intercellular communication, including an analogy to communication through social media. We also argue that technical limitations have restricted the study of some of the most abundant exRNAs, both inside and outside extracellular vesicles (EVs). These RNAs may be better positioned to induce a response in recipient cells compared with low abundance miRNAs.

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  • Circulating miRNA research has not resulted in any highly specific, validated disease markers.

    “circulating miRNA research has not resulted in any highly specific, validated disease markers (Tosar et al., 2021; Witwer, 2015).”

    From Small nucleolar RNAs in plasma extracellular vesicles and their discriminatory power as diagnostic biomarkers of Alzheimer's disease (2021) · cites this paper as Tosar et al., 2021

    The 'Extracellular RNA dynamics' section calls extracellular RNAs promising sources of disease biomarkers, while 'Sorting RNAs to the extracellular space: how?' discusses contamination that can distort miRNA analyses. Neither section addresses whether circulating miRNA research has produced highly specific, validated disease markers (searched: biomarkers, validation, and specificity). No page numbers were available in our copy. (LLM, conf=0.75)

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Authors
Tosar, J. P., Witwer, K., & Cayota, A.
Affiliations
  • Universidad de la República de Uruguay (UY)
  • Johns Hopkins University (US)
Corresponding author
Tosar, Juan Pablo
ORCID
Venue
Trends in Biochemical Sciences
Publisher
Elsevier BV
Published
2021-06
Volume
46
Issue
6
Pages
438-445
ISSN
0968-0004 (ISSN-L)
DOI
10.1016/j.tibs.2020.12.008
PMC
PMC8122015
OpenAlex
W3120963541
Cited by
91
References
2
Citations by year
2026: 14 · 2025: 19 · 2024: 15 · 2023: 14 · 2022: 17 · 2021: 12
FWCI
1.52
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Licence
Locations
  • Trends in Biochemical Sciences (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed Central (acceptedVersion)
Funders
  • National Institutes of Health
  • Universidad de la República Uruguay
  • NIH Office of the Director (UG3CA241694)
  • Agencia Nacional de Investigación e Innovación (FCE_3_2018_1_148745)
Topics
  • Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Molecular Biology › Extracellular vesicles in disease
  • Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Molecular Biology › RNA Research and Splicing
  • Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Cancer Research › MicroRNA in disease regulation
Keywords
extracellular RNA, RNA release, extracellular vesicles, RNA biogenesis, RNA stability, intercellular communication, microRNA
MeSH terms
Extracellular Vesicles, Cell Communication, Humans, MicroRNAs

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