Human Endothelial Cell Transport Bovine Extracellular Vesicles

MicroRNAs play essential roles in gene regulation; the majority of microRNAs in body fluids is encapsulated in extracellular vesicles (EVs), thereby conferring protection against degradation and a pathway for cellular transport by endocytosis. Our previous studies suggest that 1) humans absorb EV-encapsulated microRNAs from cow's milk, 2) milk microRNAs are delivered to peripheral tissues where they alter the expression of human genes, and 3) endogenous synthesis of microRNAs does not compensate for dietary microRNA depletion in mice. Ongoing studies suggest that EV-encapsulated microRNAs cross the intestinal mucosa by processes involving endocytosis and exocytosis. Here we tested the hypothesis that endothelial cells in blood vessels also transport milk EVs. Transport was assessed using labeled exosomes from bovine milk, i.e., the quantitatively most important fraction of EVs in milk, and human umbilical vessel endothelial cells (HUVEC). The uptake of exosomes was assessed at timed intervals and was line...