Exosomes as biomarkers and therapeutic tools for type 1 diabetes mellitus.

ABSTRACT

Early diagnosis of diabetes mellitus can significantly improve therapeutic strategies and overall health span. Identifying biomarkers as a tool for determining the risk of developing diabetes as well as a monitoring strategy for progression of the disease state would be useful in predicting potential complications while simultaneously improving our ability to prevent and treat diabetes. Extracellular vesicles (EV) have recently emerged as prominent mediators of intercellular communication and as a potential source for the discovery of novel biomarkers. A deeper understanding of the cargo molecules present in EVs obtained from type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1D) patients may aid in the identification of novel diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers, and can potentially lead to the discovery of new therapeutic targets.