MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small regulatory molecules that are involved in post-transcriptional modifications. These non-coding RNAs are usually ferried by extracellular carriers such as exosomes or other protein and lipid carriers inside a range of body fluids including plasma and urine. Due to their ability to withstand harsh external conditions, exosomal miRNAs possess enormous potentials as non-invasive disease biomarkers for, notably hypertension, whereby exosomal miRNAs have been implicated in its pathophysiological processes. More importantly, alterations in the microenvironment as a result of disease progression can induce active and selective loading of miRNAs into exosomes. In this paper, we first review the mechanisms of miRNA loading into exosomes, followed by the roles of exosomal miRNAs in the development of hypertension; and the potentials of exosomal miRNAs as biomarkers in comparison to other free circulating miRNAs. Finally challenges and future research surrounding exosomal miRNAs will also be discussed. The information synthesized in this review summarizes current knowledge of non-invasive biomarkers for early hypertension diagnosis and for probing therapeutic efficacy.

中文翻译：

---

外泌体microRNA在原发性高血压的发展中及其作为生物标志物的潜力

微小RNA（miRNA）是参与转录后修饰的小调控分子。这些非编码RNA通常通过胞外载体（如外来体或其他蛋白和脂质载体）在一系列体液（包括血浆和尿液）中转移。由于外泌体miRNA具有承受恶劣外部条件的能力，因此具有作为非侵入性疾病生物标记物（特别是高血压）的巨大潜力，因此外泌体miRNA已经参与了其病理生理过程。更重要的是，疾病进展导致的微环境改变可以诱导miRNA主动和选择性地加载到外泌体中。在本文中，我们首先综述了miRNA加载到外泌体中的机制，然后研究了外泌体miRNA在高血压发展中的作用。与其他游离循环miRNA相比，外泌体miRNA作为生物标志物的潜力。最后，还将讨论围绕外泌体miRNA的挑战和未来的研究。本综述中综合的信息总结了用于早期高血压诊断和探索治疗功效的非侵入性生物标志物的当前知识。