Silent messengers in the nano-world: Harnessing extracellular vesicles as theranostic tools for neonatal surgical conditions

jpedsurg.org

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are lipid bilayer-enclosed nanoparticles secreted by all cells that mediate intercellular communication by transferring proteins, lipids, and nucleic acids. Among their cargo, microRNAs are key post-transcriptional regulators of organogenesis. In fetal lung development, EV-mediated signaling is essential for the coordination of epithelial, mesenchymal, endothelial, and immune cells. In congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH), disruption of these interactions leads to pulmonary hypoplasia and pulmonary hypertension, the primary causes of morbidity and mortality.

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Article · Sep 2025 · 1 min read

In brief

This article explores how extracellular vesicles—nanoparticles that enable cell-to-cell communication—may serve as both diagnostic markers and therapeutic tools for congenital diaphragmatic hernia. The focus is on understanding how disrupted EV signaling during fetal lung development contributes to pulmonary hypoplasia and hypertension in CDH patients.

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are nanoparticles that transfer proteins, lipids, and nucleic acids between cells for intercellular communication.
MicroRNAs within EVs regulate organogenesis, particularly coordinating multiple cell types during fetal lung development.
In CDH, disrupted EV-mediated signaling causes pulmonary hypoplasia and hypertension—the main drivers of poor outcomes.
EVs represent potential theranostic tools for diagnosing and treating neonatal surgical conditions like CDH.

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