Dose-responsive effects of endothelial cell-sourced exosomes on vascular cell proliferation and phenotype transition

Endothelial cell-sourced exosomes are potential participants in the process of atherosclerosis, and their function is mainly affected by concentration. By studying the effects of exosome concentrations on vascular cells, atherosclerosis can be better intervened. In this study, exosomes with concentrations of 0, 0.07, 0.35, 1.75 and 8.75 μg/mL were set to interact with endothelial cells, macrophages and smooth muscle cells respectively. The results suggested that EC-Exo altered vascular cells' proliferation, migration and nitric oxide release abilities, increasing with EC-Exo concentrate from 0 to 1.75 μg/mL and varing with cell types at 8.75 μg/mL. The effects of exosome on cells is dose-responsive，and endothelial cells-sourced exosome favors vascular repair within the concentration of 0.35–1.75 μg/mL，showing potential for atherosclerosis regulation. •EC-Exo promoted the proliferation, migration and nitric oxide release abilities of endothelial cells (ECs).•EC-Exo facilitated phenotypic transformation and inhibited proliferation and migration of macrophages (MAs).•EC-Exo enhanced phenotypic transformation, proliferation and migration of smooth muscle cells (SMCs).•EC-Exo at 0.35–1. 75 μg/mL improved the anti-atherosclerotic capability of ECs, MAs and SMCs.