Exosomal ncRNAs: Novel therapeutic target and biomarker for diabetic complications

Exosomes are discoid vesicles with a diameter of 40-160 nm. They are mainly derived from the multivesicular body formed by the invagination of lysosomal particles in the cell, which are released into the extracellular matrix after the fusion of the outer membrane. Exosomes are widespread and distributed in various body fluids, they are rich in nucleic acids (microRNA, lncRNA, circRNA, mRNA, tRNA, etc.), proteins, lipids, etc. As an important mediator of cellular communication, exosomes carry and transmit important signaling molecules and are widely involved in intercellular material transport and information transfer, they regulate cellular physiological activities and are closely related to the occurrence and course of various diseases. In recent years, with the deepening of exosome-related research, we discovered that exosomal non-coding RNAs are associated with diabetic complications such as diabetic retinopathy, diabetic nephropathy, diabetic foot ulcer. This article reviews the new findings of exosomal non-coding RNAs (mainly microRNAs, lncRNAs, circRNAs) in diabetic complications, and analyzes the potential of exosomal ncRNA as new biomarkers and new cell-free therapies in the diagnosis and treatment of diabetic complications, hoping to provide new ideas for the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of diabetic complications.