The contribution of chronic intermittent hypoxia to OSAHS: From the perspective of serum extracellular microvesicle proteins

This study provides the first evidence that OSAHS causes significant alteration in SEMV protein composition, which may contribute to OSAHS-triggered multiple organ injury and organ-to-organ communication. Moreover, we have demonstrated that CIH is the primary contributor for increased inflammatory protein expression in SEMV. As CRP is being increasingly recognized not only as a marker but also a mediator of inflammatory response to tissue injury, increased SEMV CRP in CIH/OSAHS may play an important role in OSAHS-induced tissue injury, suggesting SEMV CRP might be a therapeutic target against OSAHS-related complications.