Redox-dependent thiol modifications: implications for the release of extracellular vesicles

Birke J. Benedikter, Antje R. Weseler, Emiel F. M. Wouters, Paul H. M. Savelkoul, Gernot G. U. Rohde, Frank R. M. Stassen*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journal(Systematic) Review article peer-review

Abstract

Extracellular vesicles (EVs), including microvesicles and exosomes, are emerging as important regulators of homeostasis and pathophysiology. During pro-inflammatory and pro-oxidant conditions, EV release is induced. As EVs released under such conditions often exert pro-inflammatory and procoagulant effects, they may actively promote the pathogenesis of chronic diseases. There is evidence that thiol group-containing antioxidants can prevent EV induction by pro-inflammatory and oxidative stimuli, likely by protecting protein thiols of the EV-secreting cells from oxidation. As the redox state of protein thiols greatly impacts three-dimensional protein structure and, consequently, function, redox modifications of protein thiols may directly modulate EV release in response to changes in the cell's redox environment. In this review article, we discuss targets of redox-dependent thiol modifications that are known or expected to be involved in the regulation of EV release, namely redox-sensitive calcium channels, N-ethylmaleimide sensitive factor, protein disulfide isomerase, phospholipid flippases, actin filaments, calpains and cell surface-exposed thiols. Thiol protection is proposed as a strategy for preventing detrimental changes in EV signaling in response to inflammation and oxidative stress. Identification of the thiol-containing proteins that modulate EV release in pro-oxidant environments could provide a rationale for broad application of thiol group-containing antioxidants in chronic inflammatory diseases.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)2321-2337
Number of pages17
JournalCellular and Molecular Life Sciences
Volume75
Issue number13
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Jul 2018

Keywords

  • Exosomes
  • Microvesicles
  • Sulfhydryl groups
  • Redox environment
  • Chronic inflammation
  • N-acetyl-L-cysteine
  • PROTEIN-DISULFIDE-ISOMERASE
  • N-ACETYLCYSTEINE
  • TISSUE FACTOR
  • MICROPARTICLE FORMATION
  • MEMBRANE VESICULATION
  • MICROVESICLE RELEASE
  • CELLULAR MECHANISMS
  • MOLECULAR-MECHANISM
  • SULFHYDRYL-GROUPS
  • OXIDATIVE STRESS

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