The Role of Heavy Metals in Disrupting Intercellular Communication via Exosomes/strong>
Authors:-Talha, Usama Zahoor, Faseeh Ur Rehman, Muhammad Usama, Muhammad Shafique, Atif Ali, Ahmad Abid, Muhammad Faisal Ramzan, Muhammad Abdullah Sohail, Muhammad Zubair
Abstract-Small extracellular vesicles secreted by most cell types have been crucial for intercellular communication in transferring biologically active molecules, such as proteins, lipids, and RNA. The vesicles regulate the physiological processes that contribute to pathological conditions such as cancer. Exposure to heavy metals, including arsenic, cadmium, and lead, disrupts communication by interfering with the biogenesis of exosomes, the cargo that is transferred within them, and their release. This review discusses the molecular mechanisms through which heavy metals affect exosomes, their downstream effects on recipient cells, and the potential of exosome-based biomarkers for detecting and mitigating heavy metal toxicity. The discussion also brings out therapeutic opportunities and future research directions.
