Insights into Microbiota–Host Crosstalk in the Intestinal Diseases Mediated by Extracellular Vesicles and Their Encapsulated MicroRNAs

Abstract

Microorganisms that colonize the intestine communicate with the host in various ways and affect gut function and health. Extracellular vesicles (EVs), especially their encapsulated microRNAs (miRNAs), participate in the complex and precise regulation of microbiota–host interactions in the gut. These roles make miRNAs critically important for the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of intestinal diseases. Here, we review the current knowledge on how different sources of EVs and miRNAs, including those from diets, gut microbes, and hosts, maintain gut microbial homeostasis and improve the intestinal barrier and immune function. We further highlight the roles of EVs and miRNAs in intestinal diseases, including diarrhea, inflammatory bowel disease, and colorectal cancer, thus providing a perspective for the application of EVs and miRNAs in these diseases.