Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW: In recent years, several pre-clinical studies have demonstrated the therapeutic potential of stem cell-derived exosomes in the treatment of cardiovascular disease (CVD). Here, we evaluate their potential as biomarkers for the detection and monitoring of CVD, with a particular focus on pediatric heart disease. RECENT FINDINGS: Exosomes isolated from stem cell sources, including mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) and pluripotent stem cells (PSCs), benefit cardiovascular function, inflammatory responses, and angiogenesis in injured and diseased hearts. These exosomes carry a variety of cargo, such as proteins, lipids, and nucleic acids. However, the majority contain non-coding RNA molecules. SUMMARY: Review of the existing literature for several non-coding RNAs and their relationship to CVD suggests that exosomes containing microRNAs (miRNAs) can serve as promising biomarkers for CVD due to their presence in circulation, ease of isolation, and therapeutic potential. These biomarkers are especially promising as screening and diagnostic tools for the early detection of pediatric and congenital heart disease.