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  3. In vivo imaging reveals exosome-mediated intercellular communication in lens development

In vivo imaging reveals exosome-mediated intercellular communication in lens development

  • Commun Biol. 2025 Dec 16;8(1):1774. doi: 10.1038/s42003-025-09159-5.
Jingyu Ma 1 2,  Qihang Sun 3,  Yijia Chen 1,  Jinyan Li 4,  Shuai Ouyang 5,  Shurui Ke 1,  Jiani Li 1,  Huilin Liang 1,  Shuyi Chen 6,  Lixia Luo 7
Affiliations

Affiliations

  • 1 State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China.
  • 2 Department of Ophthalmology, the Second Clinical College of North Sichuan Medical College (Nanchong Central Hospital), North Sichuan Medical College, Nanchong, Sichuan, China.
  • 3 Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China.
  • 4 Department of Ophthalmology, The Key Laboratory of Advanced Interdisciplinary Studies Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China.
  • 5 Department of Ophthalmology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China.
  • 6 State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China. [email protected].
  • 7 State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China. [email protected].
PMID: 41402507 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-025-09159-5
Abstract

Lens transparency relies on proper intercellular communication. Exosomes are crucial mediators of intercellular communication and play a key role in organ homeostasis and development. However, their presence and dynamics in the lens remain unclear. Here, we report endogenous exosomes in the zebrafish lens using cryaa-driven Cd63-AcGFP labeling. Live imaging revealed dynamic exosome movement within lens cells and their potential transfer to adjacent tissues. Additionally, we found that the biogenesis of Cd63+ exosomes in the lens is regulated by the Syntenin-a pathway. And Syntenin-a knockdown delayed lens development by impairing lens cell differentiation, highlighting the potential role of lens cell-derived exosomes. Furthermore, ROR1+ lens progenitor cell-derived extracellular vesicles promoted lentoid differentiation in vitro, with proteomic analysis suggesting underlying mechanisms. Overall, our study addresses the gap in direct observation of endogenous lens exosomes, providing foundational insights into lens pathophysiology and a potential strategy for modulating the lens microenvironment.

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