Exercise is known for the positive effects on metabolic diseases, partly because of the release of circulating extracellular vesicles that mediate intercellular communication and organ crosstalk. In a new doctoral thesis from Karolinska Institutet, Zhenghao Wang, doctoral student at the Department of Molecular Medicine and Surgery, explores the molecular composition and biofunction of exercise-induced EVs, focusing on their role in health benefits and pancreatic β-cell protection.
What's the main focus of your thesis?
"The aim of my thesis is to investigate the potential positive regulatory roles of exercise-induced circulating extracellular vesicles in pancreatic β-cell function and survival, and explore its underlying molecular mechanisms," says Zhenghao Wang , doctoral student at the Signal Transduction research group, Department of Molecular Medicine and Surgery , Karolinska Institutet.
Which are the most important results?
"This study reveals that exercise systemically improves diabetes by triggering a multi-organ exosomal network, moving beyond traditional single-organ perspectives and providing novel systemic insights. We identify exercise-induced exosomal miR-124 as a key regulator of endoplasmic reticulum stress (ERS), bridging exercise to cytoprotection in diabetes and offering a novel therapeutic candidate".
How can this new knowledge contribute to the improvement of people's health?
"By identifying exosomal miR-124 as a key mediator, we can develop targeted exercise regimens optimized for diabetes prevention and treatment, particularly for high-risk individuals. Blood tests measuring miR-124 levels could help track therapeutic responses. Engineered exosomes or synthetic miR-124 mimics could be developed as injectable "exercise mimetics," offering benefits for diabetic patients who cannot engage in physical activity due to mobility limitations or other health complications".
What are your future ambitions?
"Our goal is to transform exercise biology into tangible solutions, moving from mechanistic insights to diagnostics, therapeutics, and equitable health innovations that combat diabetes and beyond", says Zhenghao Wang.
Dissertation
Thursday, November 6, 2025 at 09:00 , Skandiasalen QA31:01 Karolinska University Hospital, Solna
Thesis
Exercise Induced Extracellular Vesicles and Metabolic Disorders
