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Updated: May 25, 2026
06:03
Isolation and Characterization of Microvesicles from Peripheral Blood
Published on: January 6, 2017
Microvesicles in health and disease
Jameel M Inal1, Ephraim A Ansa-Addo, Dan Stratton
1Cellular and Molecular Immunology Research Centre, Faculty of Life Sciences, London Metropolitan University, 166-220 Holloway Road, London, N7 8DB, UK. j.inal@londonmet.ac.uk
Archivum Immunologiae Et Therapiae Experimentalis
|February 7, 2012
Summary
Microvesicles (MVs) are cell-released vesicles involved in intercellular communication, transporting proteins and nucleic acids. This review explores their diverse roles in cell repair, apoptosis, disease, and potential therapeutic applications.
Area of Science:
- Cell Biology
- Molecular Biology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Microvesicles (MVs) are released from eukaryotic cells, particularly during stress or apoptosis.
- They mediate intercellular communication through the transfer of biomolecules.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the multifaceted functions of MVs.
- To explore their roles in intercellular signaling, cellular processes, and disease pathology.
- To discuss their therapeutic potential.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of studies on microvesicle function.
- Analysis of MV roles in intercellular communication, protein/nucleic acid transport, and cellular regulation.
- Examination of MV involvement in disease and therapeutic strategies.
Main Results:
- MVs facilitate unconventional protein export and transfer mRNA and microRNA between cells.
- They play roles in membrane repair, protein quality control, and apoptosis regulation.
- MVs are implicated in tumor metastasis, hypoxia, ischemia, and infectious/autoimmune diseases.
Conclusions:
- Microvesicles are crucial mediators of intercellular communication with diverse biological functions.
- Their involvement in various diseases highlights their pathological significance.
- MVs represent promising candidates for novel therapeutic agents.
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