After a heart attack, where do cardiomyocyte-derived small EVs go in the body and how does that change over time? In this episode, Associate Editor Dr. Crystal Ripplinger (UC Davis School of Medicine) interviews author Dr. Jiang Chang (Texas A&M University Health Science Center) and expert Dr. Raj Kishore (Temple University Lewis Katz School of Medicine) about the study by Wang et al. that investigated the role of small extracellular vesicles (EVs) and their production and biodistribution after myocardial infarction. Using a genetically modified mouse model, the authors mapped the spatiotemporal distribution of these cardiac EVs at different time points post-MI. Initially the authors generated data from only one sex, which does not align with AJP-Heart and Circulatory Physiology journal policies on sex as a biological variable. Treating this as an opportunity rather than an obstacle, the authors completed more rigorous experiments using both male and female mice. What key sex differences did Wang et al. uncover in post-MI pathophysiology? Listen and learn more.

Xinjie Wang, Xiao Du, Zhishi Chen, Wei Yu, Zhongjing Wang, Yanping Chen, Daniel Y. Chang, Garrett Jensen, Weijia Luo, and Jiang Chang Dynamics and Biodistribution of Cardiomyocyte-Derived Small Extracellular Vesicles Following Myocardial Infarction: Sex Differences Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol, published December 15, 2025. DOI: 10.1152/ajpheart.00835.2025