Extracellular Vesicles and Cell-to-Cell Communication in Aging Muscle and Bone

Aging is accompanied by a progressive decline in musculoskeletal integrity, marked by sarcopenia, osteoporosis, and impaired tissue regeneration. While these processes have traditionally been studied in isolation, growing evidence points to extracellular vesicles (EVs) as key mediators of crosstalk between muscle, bone, and their surrounding cellular environments, coordinating signals that influence tissue homeostasis, repair, and degeneration. Understanding how this vesicle-mediated communication changes with age offers a promising avenue for identifying new biomarkers and therapeutic targets for age-related musculoskeletal decline.Extracellular vesicles, including exosomes and microvesicles, carry proteins, lipids, and nucleic acids capable of altering the behavior of recipient cells both locally and systemically. In the context of the muscle-bone unit, EVs have been implicated in myokine and osteokine signaling, senescence propagation, inflammaging, and the regulation of stem and progenitor cell function. Yet many questions remain regarding how EV cargo, biogenesis, and uptake are altered by aging, and how these changes contribute to the functional decline observed in sarcopenia and osteoporosis.This Research Topic aims to bring together original research and reviews exploring the role of extracellular vesicles in intercellular communication within aging muscle and bone tissue. We welcome contributions addressing (but not limited to):The molecular composition and functional cargo of EVs derived from aging muscle and bone cells. EV mediated crosstalk between myocytes, osteoblasts, osteoclasts, osteocytes, and other cells of the musculoskeletal niche. The role of EVs in propagating cellular senescence and inflammaging within musculoskeletal tissue. Age related changes in EV biogenesis, secretion, and uptake mechanisms. EVs as biomarkers for sarcopenia, osteoporosis, or frailty. Therapeutic and regenerative applications of EVs or EV engineering to counteract age related musculoskeletal decline. Systemic or endocrine like effects of muscle and bone derived EVs on other organs and tissues in the context of aging.By consolidating current knowledge and emerging findings on EV mediated signaling in the aging musculoskeletal system, this Research Topic seeks to advance mechanistic understanding of muscle and bone aging and to support the development of novel diagnostic and therapeutic strategies aimed at preserving musculoskeletal health across the lifespan. Topic editors: Shuo Feng, Xue Yang Source: https://www.frontiersin.org/research-topics/85137/extracellular-vesicles-and-cell-to-cell-communication-in-aging-muscle-and-bone