Abstract:

Extracellular vesicles, small membrane-bound particles released from cells, have been shown to have cardioprotective effects. Here, Yadid et al. analyzed the proteins contained in vesicles released from endothelial cells under normoxia and hypoxia and investigated cardioprotective effects on cardiac tissues in vitro. Using a human heart-on-chip composed of cardiomyocytes, the authors showed that endothelial cell–derived vesicles supported metabolic function, tissue contraction, and viability during ischemia-reperfusion injury. This study helps to elucidate the mechanism by which vesicles are cardioprotective in human tissue.