Journal
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
Volume 24, Issue 2, Pages -Publisher
MDPI
DOI: 10.3390/ijms24021337
Keywords
exosome biogenesis; cargo sorting; exosome secretion; exosome uptake
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Exosomes are small membrane-contained vesicles secreted by cells, which play important roles in maintaining cellular homeostasis, facilitating intercellular communication, and removing cellular debris. They are being extensively studied as potential diagnostic markers and therapeutic targets in various diseases. However, the underlying mechanisms of exosome biogenesis, release and uptake are still largely unknown. This review aims to provide updated molecular details of these processes to facilitate the design of future impactful exosome experiments.
Exosomes are a subtype of membrane-contained vesicles 40-200 nm in diameter that are secreted by cells into their surroundings. By transporting proteins, lipids, mRNA, miRNA, lncRNA, and DNA, exosomes are able to perform such vital functions as maintaining cellular homeostasis, removing cellular debris, and facilitating intercellular and interorgan communication. Exosomes travel in all body fluids and deliver their molecular messages in autocrine, paracrine as well as endocrine manners. In recent years, there has been an increased interest in studying exosomes as diagnostic markers and therapeutic targets, since in many disease conditions this machinery becomes dysregulated or hijacked by pathological processes. Additionally, delivery of exosomes and exosomal miRNA has already been shown to improve systemic metabolism and inhibit progression of cancer development in mice. However, the subcellular machinery of exosomes, including their biogenesis, release and uptake, remains largely unknown. This review will bring molecular details of these processes up to date with the goal of expanding the knowledge basis for designing impactful exosome experiments in the future.
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