Extracellular Vesicles in Bone Homeostasis: Emerging Mediators of Osteoimmune Interactions and Promising Therapeutic Targets

Abstract

An imbalance in bone homeostasis results in bone loss and poor healing in bone diseases and trauma. Osteoimmune interactions, as a key contributor to bone homeostasis, depend on the crosstalk between mesenchymal stem cell-osteoblast (MSC-OB) and monocyte-macrophage (MC-Mφ) lineages. Currently, extracellular vesicles (EVs) are considered to be involved in cell-to-cell communication and represent a novel avenue to enhance our understanding of bone homeostasis and to develop novel diagnostic and therapeutic options. In this comprehensive review, we aim to present recent advances in the study of the effect of MC-Mφ-derived EVs on osteogenesis and the regulatory effects of MSC-OB-derived EVs on the differentiation, recruitment and efferocytosis of Mφ. Furthermore, we discuss the role of EVs as crucial mediators of the communication between these cell lineages involved in the development of common bone diseases, with a focus on osteoporosis, osteoarthritis, bone fracture, and periodontal disease. Together, this review focuses on the apparent discrepancies in current research findings and future directions for translating fundamental insights into clinically relevant EV-based therapies for improving bone health.