Can the microRNAs really enter into mammalian cells? I feel like there should be some mechanism for blocking outside RNAs from entering a cell. Unless there's no selection for a defense mechanism because it's not harmful? Someone fill me in here.
"We next characterized the possible carrier of circulating miRNAs. Microvesicles (MVs) are small vesicles that are shed from almost all cell types under both normal and pathological conditions 13, 14. They bear surface receptors/ligands of the original cells and have the potential to selectively interact with specific target cells and mediate intercellular communication by transporting bioactive lipids, mRNA, or proteins between cells... "
It looks like the miRNAs are trapped in tiny bits of the rice cells. These bits have receptors that can interact with mammal cells and transport RNA across the cell barrier. (This really sounds like a protovirus!) If this can happen from eating a plant, I wonder what miRNA is circulating after eating a nice rare steak.
