Extracellular Vesicles in Ocular Physiology, Pharmacology, and Therapeutics

Extracellular vesicle (EV) is a cell-released biological nanoparticle exploiting intrinsic mechanisms for molecular transport in the body. EVs are protected from extracellular degradation and can deliver RNA, DNA, protein, lipid cargo across the blood-brain and blood retinal barriers, making them an attractive carrier for biomolecules and drug delivery to the back of the eye.
Recent research has suggested possible use of extracellular vesicles as biomarkers of various hereditary, metabolic and degenerative eye diseases. Currently, there are expected values to use them in the interpretation of disease severity level, progression and treatment responses, and to understand cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying a variety of ocular pathologies. Moreover, extracellular vesicles may open novel treatment options and drug delivery ways.

This Research Topic aims to gather original research articles and comprehensive reviews that address the role of extracellular vesicles in major ocular disorders, including – but not limited to - diabetic retinopathy, age-related macular degeneration, and glaucoma. By integrating insights from molecular and cell biology, pharmacology and translational research, this collection intends to provide an updated and complete overview of the implications of extracellular vesicles in eye physiology and pathologies - with a special interest in those related to the retina, and optic nerve. Moreover, the contributions to this Research Topic will help to better elucidate the potential use of extracellular vesicles as biomarkers in the diagnosis and prognosis of ocular diseases, as well as to explore their promising use as therapeutic tools. To this latter regard, in vitro and in vivo original research studies will help to assess the capability of native and engineered EVs to provide cytoprotection in retinal and optic nerve disease models, paving the way to the use of EVs as novel treatments and/or carriers for specific drug delivery.

Authors can contribute by original research articles and comprehensive reviews on these themes:

- EV Biogenesis and Signaling in Retinal Neurons, Glia and Other Retinal Cells: Mechanisms of EV release and uptake in retinal ganglion cells, Müller glia, RPE cells under stress/degenerative conditions.

- EVs-related Secretory Pathways alterations and their involvement in retinal diseases.

- EVs as Neuroprotective or Neurotoxic Mediators: Role of EV cargo in propagating or mitigating neurodegeneration in diabetic retinopathy, age-related macular degeneration, glaucoma, optic neuropathies and other hereditary, metabolic and degenerative eye diseases.

- EV-Based Drug Delivery for Ocular Neuropharmacology: Engineering EVs as vehicles for neuroprotective agents, gene therapies, or anti-inflammatory compounds targeting the posterior segment of the eye.

- EVs as Biomarkers: Diagnostic and prognostic potential of EVs from tears, vitreous/aqueous humor, serum in monitoring ocular neurodegenerative disease progression.

- Translational and Preclinical Models: In vitro and in vivo studies validating EV-targeted therapeutic strategies for retinal and optic nerve protection.

Article types and fees

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Brief Research Report
• Case Report
• Clinical Trial
• Community Case Study
• Data Report
• Editorial
• FAIR² Data
• FAIR² DATA Direct Submission
• General Commentary
• ... View all formats

Articles that are accepted for publication by our external editors following rigorous peer review incur a publishing fee charged to Authors, institutions, or funders.

Article types

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Brief Research Report
• Case Report
• Clinical Trial
• Community Case Study
• Data Report
• Editorial
• FAIR² Data
• FAIR² DATA Direct Submission
• General Commentary
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• Mini Review
• Opinion
• Original Research
• Perspective
• Review
• Study Protocol
• Systematic Review
• Technology and Code

Keywords: Extracellular vesicles, Exosome, Eye, Ocular diseases, Retina Biomarkers, Therapeutic strategies, Pharmacology

Important note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.