Signature analyses for circulating extracellular vesicle in chronic kidney disease

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) accelerates vascular calcification (VC) via phenotypic switching of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs). We investigated the roles of circulating small extracellular vesicles (sEVs) between the kidneys and VSMCs and uncovered relevant sEV-propagated microRNAs (miRNAs) and their biological signaling pathways. We established CKD models in rats and mice by adenine-induced tubulointerstitial fibrosis. The miRNA transcriptome of sEVs revealed a depletion of several miRNAs in CKD. Their expression levels in sEVs from CKD patients were correlated to kidney function. This study revealed the transcriptomic landscape of miRNAs propagated in sEVs in CKD. We investigated the therapeutic potential of miRNAs in VC. Eight samples derived from small extracellular vesicles of control (n = 4) and CKD model rats (n = 4).