Exosomes, microvesicles, and other extracellular vesicles-a Keystone Symposia report

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are small, lipid-bilayer-bound particles released by cells that can contain important bioactive molecules, including lipids, RNAs, and proteins. Once released in the extracellular environment, EVs can act as messengers locally as well as to distant tissues to coordinate tissue homeostasis and systemic responses. There is a growing interest in not only understanding the physiology of EVs as signaling particles but also leveraging them as minimally invasive diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers (e.g., they can be found in biofluids) and drug-delivery vehicles. On October 30-November 2, 2022, researchers in the EV field convened for the Keystone symposium Exosomes, Microvesicles, and Other Extracellular Vesicles to discuss developing standardized language and methodology, new data on the basic biology of EVs and potential clinical utility, as well as novel technologies to isolate and characterize EVs.

Automated summary

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are small particles released by cells that carry important biomolecules and can act as messengers to coordinate tissue homeostasis and systemic responses. EVs are of growing interest for their potential as diagnostic biomarkers and drug-delivery vehicles. Researchers gathered at the Keystone symposium to discuss standardized language and methodology, new data on EV biology and clinical utility, and novel technologies for EV isolation and characterization.