**Chapter 7 137**

Part Two: Extracellular Vesicles as a Risk Factor in Neurodegenerative Diseases *by Laura Cristina Ceafalan, Octavian Costin Ioghen, Daciana Silvia Marta, Alina Constantin, Nicoleta Alexandru, Miruna Nemecz, Gabriela Tanko, Alexandru Filippi, Stefania Lucia Magda, Florina Bojin, Virgil Paunescu,* 

*Dragos Vinereanu, Adriana Georgescu and Mihaela Gherghiceanu*

Preface

The study of extracellular vesicles (EVs) is a clear focus of the interest of the scientific community to understand the communication between cells, and is also being used in the healthcare system in several ways, from diagnosis to prognosis of a number of diseases. This new field of study is focused on identifying different types of EVs that are released by all the cells and their participation in different pathways. Their content is also different attending to the purpose of the cell. Therefore, they may represent a useful resource for knowledge in cell biology, cell communication, and participation in human diseases. Over the last few years, several efforts have studied the use of EVs as a useful source for diagnostic, prognostic, and therapeutic markers.

The goal of this book is to provide a clear picture of the current knowledge of the vesicles secreted by cells. The book reviews the field of EVs, including a description of EVs, the different purification techniques, their use in the medical field, and also their participation in different diseases. The book includes six chapters, each one focused on specific aspects. Each chapter provides an overview of EVs in the field of study and gives the reader a general idea of where the current research is heading. The chapters in this book are organized in three sections. Section 1, "Introduction to the extracellular vesicles," includes two chapters. Chapter 1 introduces the book with a general statement of EVs in human health. Chapter 2 is focused on the identification of EVs in human milk. EVs have been identified in different body fluids, but the study of milk EVs is not full characterized. The chapter describes a full characterization of the content of milk EVs (proteins, lipids, and nucleic acids) and a discussion of how milk EVs could be useful in medicine and biotechnology. The chapter also includes an exhaustive introduction to the isolation, purification, and analysis of EVs. The second section, "The biology of extracellular vesicles," is comprised of two chapters. Chapter 3 reviews different types of endocytosis pathways and how cell type can dictate the mechanisms of exosome internalization. EV internalization changes from cell to cell and within the same cell. The use of EVs for therapeutics could be addressed by the characterization of cell–EV interaction in the body. In Chapter 4, the author reviews applications of lipid metabolizing enzymes, due to analytical results of the kinetic theory of membrane enzymes. Three chapters comprise the third and last section of the book, "Extracellular vesicles in human diseases." Chapter 5 addresses the current knowledge about the role of EVs in cancer, focusing primarily on ovarian and breast cancer. The chapter gives a detailed introduction to the different EVs characterized, including a complete overview and their roles in tumor microenvironment, tumorigenesis, and metastasis. Chapter 6 describes the role of EVs in modulating diabetic cardiovascular diseases. This chapter describes the function of EVs in physiological processes and immune response and how EVs could be clinical biomarkers and therapeutic targets in diabetic cardiovascular diseases, including atherosclerosis, coronary artery disease, cerebrovascular disease, and peripheral arterial disease. Chapter 7 reviews the participation of EVs in neurodegenerative diseases. The authors present the biological content of EVs and the methods used for their isolation, analysis, and their importance in brain pathology and potential role in the prognosis and diagno-

sis of human health and disease.
