Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 26, 2026

Freeze-Fracture Electron Microscopy for Extracellular Vesicle Analysis
11:30

Freeze-Fracture Electron Microscopy for Extracellular Vesicle Analysis

Published on: September 16, 2022

Shedding microvesicles: artefacts no more.

Emanuele Cocucci1, Gabriella Racchetti, Jacopo Meldolesi

  • 1Center of Excellence in Cell Development, Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, via Olgettina 58, 20132 Milan, Italy.

Trends in Cell Biology
|January 16, 2009
PubMed
Summary

Small vesicles shed from cell surfaces, once dismissed as artifacts, are now recognized as key players in cell communication and function. These shedding vesicles are vital in biological processes, disease progression, and physiological roles.

Related Concept Videos

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

Correction: Lamanna, J.; Meldolesi, J. Autism Spectrum Disorder: Brain Areas Involved, Neurobiological Mechanisms, Diagnoses and Therapies. <i>Int. J. Mol. Sci.</i> 2024, <i>25</i>, 2423.

International journal of molecular sciences·2026
Same author

Brain Synapses: Neurons, Astrocytes, and Extracellular Vesicles in Health and Diseases.

International journal of molecular sciences·2026
Same author

Microvesicles, exosomes and their combinations with cytoplasmic organelles: from their discovery to their innovative roles in clinical medicine.

Biology direct·2026
Same author

Exploring the Spatial Limits of Extracellular Vesicles-Mediated Intercellular Communication.

Journal of extracellular vesicles·2025
Same author

Acute degradation of nucleolin reveals its novel functions in cell cycle progression and cell division in triple negative breast cancer.

Journal of experimental & clinical cancer research : CR·2025
Same author

Four distinct cytoplasmic structures generate and release specific vesicles, thus opening the way to intercellular communication.

Extracellular vesicles and circulating nucleic acids·2024

Area of Science:

  • Cell Biology
  • Biochemistry
  • Pathology

Background:

  • Small vesicles shed from cell surfaces were historically misidentified as artifacts.
  • Recent research distinguishes these shedding vesicles from exosomes, highlighting their unique origins and functions.
  • These vesicles are crucial for intercellular communication and rapid cellular adaptations.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To elucidate the distinct nature and biological significance of shedding vesicles.
  • To explore the roles of shedding vesicles in physiological and pathological conditions.
  • To understand their involvement in cell-to-cell transfer of biomolecules.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of vesicle shedding mechanisms.
  • Characterization of vesicle composition (proteins, RNAs).

More Related Videos

Isolation and Characterization of Microvesicles from Peripheral Blood
06:03

Isolation and Characterization of Microvesicles from Peripheral Blood

Published on: January 6, 2017

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jun 26, 2026

Freeze-Fracture Electron Microscopy for Extracellular Vesicle Analysis
11:30

Freeze-Fracture Electron Microscopy for Extracellular Vesicle Analysis

Published on: September 16, 2022

Isolation and Characterization of Microvesicles from Peripheral Blood
06:03

Isolation and Characterization of Microvesicles from Peripheral Blood

Published on: January 6, 2017

  • Investigation of vesicle functions in cellular processes and disease models.

    • Main Results:

    • Shedding vesicles are distinct from exosomes and originate from the cell surface.
    • They mediate surface-membrane traffic and transfer proteins and RNAs between cells.
    • These vesicles play significant roles in coagulation, inflammation, and tumor metastasis.

    Conclusions:

    • Shedding vesicles are critical mediators of intercellular communication.
    • They are involved in essential biological processes and have significant implications in disease.
    • Further research into shedding vesicles can reveal novel therapeutic targets.