Extracellular vesicles as mediators of neuron-glia communication

1Glia cells are involved in central nervous system (CNS) function, development, and maintenance, which all require intense cell–cell communication between glia and neurons. Intercellular communication can be mediated through direct cell–cell contact or paracrine action of secreted molecules. In the past few years, a novel mode of interaction relying on the exchange of extracellular vesicles (EVs) between cells has become evident. Various cell types release EVs of different origin into their environment, which have the potential to transfer a collection of biomolecules between cells locally or over longer distances. Glia and neurons secrete EVs and the recent literature implicates that intercellular communication by EVs has versatile functional impact in the CNS.

2Extracellular vesicles comprise shedding microvesicles (MVs), exosomes, and apoptotic bodies, which differ in size, cargo, membrane composition, and origin. Apoptotic bodies are released during apoptosis, whereas the other types of vesicles are derived from healthy cells. A mixture of EVs is detectable in virtually all body fluids and to date it is challenging to clearly discriminate the different types, as some classifying criteria are overlapping. While MVs directly pinch off from the plasma membrane and are heterogeneous in size (up to 1000 nm in diameter), exosomes originate from the endosomal system and exhibit a regular shape (50–100 nm in diameter). Exosomes correspond to the intraluminal vesicles of multivesicular bodies (MVBs), hence their generation involves sorting at the level of the endosomal limiting membrane mediated by the ESCRT (endosomal sorting complex required for transport) machinery or is assisted by the sphingolipid ceramide and tetraspanins. Fusion of MVBs with the plasma membrane releases exosomes and is controlled by Rab GTPases such as Rab27 in epithelial cells and Rab35 in oligodendrocytes. Exosomes carry characteristic lipids, RNA species, biogenesis-related proteins (Tsg101 and Alix are classic markers), tetraspanins, integrins, heat shock proteins, and cell type specific components. On the other hand, they exclude proteins of other intracellular compartments such as the endoplasmic reticulum and mitochondria. Less is known about the specific composition and biogenesis of MVs. Interestingly, the molecular machinery for MV generation may necessitate factors also involved in exosome generation.

3This review summarizes characteristic properties and functions of EVs emphasizing glial EVs in the CNS and in particular the role of oligodendroglial exosomes in neuron–glia communication.

4Since their discovery, several physiological and pathological functions have been ascribed to EVs. Reticulocytes utilize exosome release to eliminate obsolete internal membranes during cell maturation. Furthermore, RNAs are transported by EVs from cell to cell and can modulate gene expression in the recipient cell. After transfer, mRNAs are translated leading to a new set of proteins in the target cell and miRNAs inhibit the expression of resident proteins. In the immune system, antigen presenting cells (APCs) secrete exosomes bearing MHC-peptide complexes, which can activate T-cells, suggesting a role of exosomes in the adaptive immune response. On the other hand, tumor exosomes can induce anti-tumor responses but are also able to facilitate tumor development by suppressing immune responses, stimulating tumor growth, invasion, angiogenesis, and metastasis.

5Exosomes also have been implicated in morphogen secretion and thus may mediate evolutionary conserved developmental processes. Exosomes derived from human and Drosophila cells carry Wnt in association with its cargo receptor Evi/Wls (Evenness Interrupted/Wntless) on the surface and induce Wnt signaling in target cells. At the Drosophila larval neuromuscular junction pre-synaptic release of exosomes containing Evi/Wls is required for Wnt transmission to the post-synapse. Moreover, synaptotagmin 4 (Syt4) is transferred via exosomes from pre-synaptic terminals to post-synaptic muscles in turn enabling retrograde Syt4 signaling and synaptic growth.

6In the mammalian nervous system, cortical neurons release exosomes from somatodendritic compartments. Synaptic glutamatergic activity mediates the rise in post-synaptic calcium levels triggering exosome secretion. As neuronal exosomes carry AMPA receptor subunits, they might play a role in synaptic plasticity by regulating the number of AMPA receptors in the post-synaptic membrane. Exosomes thus may be implicated in transsynaptic communication in vertebrates and invertebrates. Intercellular transfer of exosomes may be relevant for pathology in several neurodegenerative diseases, since pathogenic proteins such as prions, β-amyloid peptide, superoxide dismutase, α-synuclein, and tau are released from cells in association with EVs. These vesicles are assumed to spread the pathogenic proteins throughout the tissue. Moreover, EVs derived from glioma cells carry oncogenic EGFRvIII, RNA, and angiogenic factors. They promote cell transformation and modulate the tumor environment to improve tumor growth.

7Microglia, the resident macrophages of the brain, maintain tissue homeostasis, provide the first line of defense during infection and brain injury, and promote tissue repair. In pathological conditions resting microglia polarize toward a M1 (pro-inflammatory) or M2 (pro-regenerative) phenotype largely defined by the profile of secreted cytokines. Microglia bud MVs of irregular shape and size (0.1–1 μm) from their plasma membrane characterized by high levels of externalized phosphatidylserine. Upon ATP stimulation of P2X7 receptors, reactive microglia release MVs carrying the pro-inflammatory cytokine interleukin-1β (IL-1β), the IL-1β-processing enzyme caspase-1, and the P2X7 receptor. The budding of MVs is facilitated by externalization of acid sphingomyelinase, which induces membrane curvature by locally increasing ceramide levels in the outer leaflet of the plasma membrane. The authors suggest that when IL-1β and P2X7 containing MVs approach tissue areas with high external ATP levels, MV-associated P2X7 receptors become activated, followed by IL-1β processing and release from MVs. This pathway may induce and propagate inflammatory reactions throughout the brain.

8Microglia-derived MVs can transmit inflammatory signals to recipient microglia, which then upregulate the co-stimulatory molecule CD86 and express pro-inflammatory genes like IL-1β, IL-6, inducible nitric oxide synthase, and cyclooxygenase-2. MVs derived from all major types of neural cells and in particular MVs carrying myeloid markers are detectable in the rodent and human CSF under normal conditions. In the inflamed brain, in cases of multiple sclerosis in humans and experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) in mice, the amount of MVs increases dramatically depending on disease severity and the extent of microglia activation. Injection of MVs into the brain of mice with subclinical EAE recruits inflammatory cells to the injection site. However, acid sphingomyelinase deficient mice, which are impaired in MV production, are largely protected from EAE. Intriguingly, FTY720, an oral drug for the treatment of multiple sclerosis, reduces the amount of microglial MVs in the CSF of EAE mice. Microglial MVs thus seem to enforce inflammation in neuroinflammatory diseases such as multiple sclerosis. They may represent promising diagnostic markers or even therapeutic targets of brain inflammation.

9Intriguingly, microglia-derived MVs can interact with neurons and stimulate spontaneous and evoked excitatory transmission in vitro and after injection in vivo. Hippocampal neurons exposed to MVs show an increase in miniature excitatory post-synaptic current (mEPSC) frequency without changes in mEPSC amplitude. MVs affect the pre-synaptic site of the excitatory synapse by increasing the release probability of synaptic vesicles through induction of ceramide and sphingosine synthesis. Thus, microglial MVs appear to modulate synaptic activity and enhance neurotransmission.

10Besides MVs, microglia release exosomes with a protein content analogous to B cell- and dendritic cell-derived exosomes. For example, MHC class II is packed into exosomes and its amount is increasing upon stimulation with interferon-γ. However, whether this is instrumental in antigen presentation and brain immunity is open. In addition, microglial exosomes comprise aminopeptidase N (CD13), which cleaves opioid receptor-binding enkephalins. They also carry enzymes for anaerobic glycolysis and the monocarboxylate transporter 1 (MCT1), potentially delivering energy substrates to target cells, and the insulin degrading enzyme (IDE), which can also degrade the Aβ peptide. It has been suggested that microglial exosome release does not occur constitutively and is induced by Wnt3a, which in turn becomes included in these vesicles.

11Astrocytes are multifunctional interactive cells. They are part of the blood brain barrier (BBB), control the extracellular ion balance, provide trophic support, and participate in repair and scarring processes after CNS injury. Similar to microglia, MV shedding from astrocytes is evoked by the ATP-triggered activation of P2X7 receptors and subsequent action of acid sphingomyelinase. Moreover, astrocytes release vesicles from the cell surface that can be up to 8 μm in size and carry intact mitochondria, and lipid droplets. Astrocyte-derived EVs are heterogeneous in their composition and have been ascribed beneficial and pathological functions. MVs and exosomes with proposed physiological functions carry Hsp/Hsc70 and synapsin I implicated in neuroprotection, factors modulating angiogenesis such as FGF-2, VEGF, endostatin, and PEDF, matrix metallo-proteinases mediating extracellular matrix proteolysis, and nucleoside triphosphate diphosphohydrolases (NTDPases; ). The precise action of these EVs on the level of the target cells, however, remains to be determined.

12Astrocyte-derived EVs have been implicated in the propagation of pathogenic proteins in neurodegenerative disorders. Astrocytes expressing mutant SOD1 (copper-zinc superoxide dismutase) secrete increased amounts of exosomes, which carry mutant SOD1. These vesicles can transfer mutant SOD1 to cultured neurons and induce motor neuron death suggesting a role of EVs in the pathogenesis of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS; ). Furthermore, exposure of amyloid peptide to astrocytes triggers the release of pro-apoptotic exosomes that include ceramide and PAR4 (prostate apoptosis response 4). These exosomes are taken up by astrocytes and promote their apoptosis suggesting that exosome-mediated astrocyte death may contribute to neurodegeneration in Alzheimer’s disease. Exosome-mediated miRNA transfer from astrocytes to neurons has been suggested to participate in neurodegeneration in HIV-associated neurological disorders. Treatment of cultured astrocytes with pathogenic HIV Tat (trans-activator of transcription) protein and morphine triggers shuttling of miR-29b via exosomes to neuronal cells which results in decreased PDGF-B expression and neuronal viability.

13Oligodendrocytes produce the myelin sheath facilitating impulse conduction. Myelinating oligodendrocytes and axons constitute a sophisticated functional unit based on continuous mutual interaction. Hence, maintenance of axonal integrity depends on support from oligodendrocytes. Recent work suggests that this trophic function of oligodendrocytes may relate to the transfer of exosomes from oligodendrocytes to neurons, in addition to the supply of glycolytic substrates such as lactate. Oligodendrocytes release exosomes that include genuine myelin proteins such as PLP, CNP, MAG, and MOG as well as the NAD-dependent deacetylase sirtuin-2, glycolytic enzymes, and typical exosome-associated proteins such as tetraspanins and heat-shock proteins.

14Oligodendrocyte-derived exosomes are internalized by a subset of MHC class II negative microglia via macropinocytosis and are subsequently degraded without provoking any response. In addition, they have been suggested to negatively regulate myelin synthesis in an autocrine fashion. However, in myelinated fibers in situ, PLP-positive MVBs and their fusion profiles were observed in the innermost non-compacted wrapping of the myelin sheath (Figure 1A) implying that exosomes are released into the periaxonal space and involved in axon-glia interaction. Indeed, the secretion of exosomes from oligodendrocytes is regulated by neurotransmitter signaling. Active neurons release glutamate that provokes Ca2+ entry through oligodendroglial ionotropic glutamate receptors, mostly of the NMDA subtype. This results in elevation of cytosolic Ca2+ levels and triggers exosome secretion. In turn, neurons internalize oligodendrocyte-derived exosomes by clathrin and dynamin-dependent endocytosis at both somatodendritic and axonal compartments (Figure 1B). The uptake appears selective since astrocytes and oligodendrocytes internalize these exosomes to a minor extent. After internalization, the cargo of oligodendroglial exosomes can be functional in the target neuron. The ectopically expressed enzyme Cre-recombinase is packed into exosomes and activates a reporter in the recipient neuron in vitro and, importantly, also after injection of Cre-bearing exosomes into the mouse brain. Moreover, oligodendroglial exosomes improve the metabolic activity of cultured neurons under cell stress. In brief, this suggests a model where active neurons signal to oligodendrocytes and demand the delivery of supportive biomolecules via exosomes (Figure 2). Oligodendrocytes can then utilize these vesicles to locally transfer metabolites, protective proteins, glycolytic enzymes, mRNA, and miRNA to axons, which may maintain axonal integrity. In the peripheral nervous system, evidence suggests that myelinating Schwann cells shuttle supportive cargo to axons by vesicular means facilitating regeneration of axons after injury.

15Oligodendroglial trophic support is impaired in CNP and PLP null mice resulting in progressive axonal degeneration. Since both proteins are components of oligodendroglial exosomes, glial support of axons may be linked to the transfer of substances by exosomes. Lack of these proteins could negatively affect exosome secretion influencing the supply of axons with trophic factors. Indeed, exosome secretion from oligodendrocytes deficient in CNP and PLP is impaired (Frühbeis, Krämer-Albers, unpublished data).

16Future work needs to address the identification of surface molecules and target cell receptors mediating vesicle internalization and, moreover, the analysis of functional components which convey support to neurons. Oligodendroglial exosomes include several substances with potentially beneficial activities including stress alleviating proteins and, importantly, mRNA and miRNA. It will be interesting to investigate if RNA transfer via exosomes results in local translation at axonal sites.

17Several studies attribute pathological and physiological functions to glial EVs. These vesicles may spread pathogenic factors, promote inflammation, influence neurotransmission, and support neurons. Exosomes secreted by oligodendrocytes transport cargo to neurons and may contribute to axonal integrity. To date, most concepts rely on in vitro data and future work will necessitate genetic models to underscore their importance. Nevertheless, EVs emerge as crucial players in the brain and elucidating their physiological relevance opens up new perspectives in CNS research.

18The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest.