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Related Concept Videos

Overview of Exosomes01:36

Overview of Exosomes

Exosomes are stable, lipid bilayer-enclosed vesicles capable of crossing biological barriers. They can carry a wide range of molecules required for intercellular communication. Once exosomes are released from the cell where they originated, they enter a recipient cell through various pathways such as fusion, receptor-mediated endocytosis, macropinocytosis, and phagocytosis.
Stahl et al. discovered exosomes in 1983, but the exosomes were initially considered waste products released from the...
Intralumenal Vesicles and Multivesicular Bodies01:38

Intralumenal Vesicles and Multivesicular Bodies

Intraluminal vesicles (ILVs) are small vesicles 50-80 nm in diameter formed during the maturation of early endosomes. A specialized endosome containing numerous ILVs is called a multivesicular body (MVB). ILVs contain internalized molecules such as antigens, nucleic acids, proteins, and metabolites. Some of these molecules are released from the MVBs inside exosomes and are transported to other cells. Other MVBs contain molecules that are retained in the ILVs and are later degraded within the...
Exocytosis00:51

Exocytosis

Exocytosis is used to release material from cells. Like other bulk transport mechanisms, exocytosis requires energy.
Exocytosis00:50

Exocytosis

Exocytosis is a process that releases molecules outside the cell. Like other bulk transport mechanisms, exocytosis requires energy.
Exocytosis is the opposite of endocytosis, which brings molecules inside the cell. Sometimes, the released materials are signaling molecules. For example, neurons typically use exocytosis to release neurotransmitters. Cells also use exocytosis to insert proteins such as ion channels into their cell membranes, secrete proteins for use in the extracellular matrix, or...
Overview of Secretory Vesicles01:33

Overview of Secretory Vesicles

Secretory vesicles, also known as dense core vesicles (DCVs), are membrane-bound vesicles that transport secretory proteins, such as hormones or neurotransmitters. Regulated secretory vesicles transport proteins from the trans-Golgi network to the exterior of the cell. Proteins present in regulated secretory vesicles are required to be rapidly exocytosed in large amounts upon a specific stimulus.
Various proteins regulate the aggregation of molecules inside the secretory vesicles. Chromogranins...
Vesicular Trasport: Endocytosis, Transcytosis and Exocytosis01:18

Vesicular Trasport: Endocytosis, Transcytosis and Exocytosis

Vesicular transport is a cellular process that encompasses the engulfment of particles or dissolved substances by cells. It involves endocytosis, transcytosis, and exocytosis.
Endocytosis is a cellular mechanism that involves the inward folding of the cell membrane to create vesicles that capture and transport large drug molecules. This process comprises two distinct methods: pinocytosis (often referred to as "cell drinking") and phagocytosis (often referred to as "cell eating"). Pinocytosis is...

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Updated: May 14, 2026

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

Freeze-Fracture Electron Microscopy for Extracellular Vesicle Analysis

Published on: September 16, 2022

Extracellular vesicles: exosomes, microvesicles, and friends.

Graça Raposo1, Willem Stoorvogel

  • 1Institut Curie, Centre de Recherche, F-75248 Paris, Cedex 05, France. graposo@curie.fr

The Journal of Cell Biology
|February 20, 2013
PubMed
Summary

Cells release extracellular vesicles (EVs), including exosomes and microvesicles, for intercellular communication. Understanding EV formation and function is crucial for their physiological relevance.

Area of Science:

  • Cell biology
  • Molecular biology
  • Biochemistry

Background:

  • Cells release extracellular vesicles (EVs) like exosomes and microvesicles into the extracellular environment.
  • These vesicles mediate intercellular communication by transferring proteins, lipids, and RNA between cells.
  • Current knowledge gaps exist regarding the molecular mechanisms of EV formation and cargo packaging.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the characterization of extracellular vesicles.
  • To discuss proposed mechanisms for EV formation, targeting, and function.
  • To highlight the need for methods to interfere with EV biogenesis and release.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review and synthesis of existing research on extracellular vesicles.
  • Analysis of proposed molecular mechanisms for EV formation and release.

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Size Exclusion Chromatography for Separating Extracellular Vesicles from Conditioned Cell Culture Media

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Last Updated: May 14, 2026

Freeze-Fracture Electron Microscopy for Extracellular Vesicle Analysis
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Freeze-Fracture Electron Microscopy for Extracellular Vesicle Analysis

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Extraction of Extracellular Vesicles from Whole Tissue
09:03

Extraction of Extracellular Vesicles from Whole Tissue

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Size Exclusion Chromatography for Separating Extracellular Vesicles from Conditioned Cell Culture Media
10:46

Size Exclusion Chromatography for Separating Extracellular Vesicles from Conditioned Cell Culture Media

Published on: May 13, 2022

  • Discussion of methods for characterizing EV cargo and function.

    • Main Results:

    • Extracellular vesicles are diverse and originate from endosomal (exosomes) or plasma membranes (microvesicles).
    • EVs act as critical mediators of intercellular communication, transferring molecular cargo.
    • Challenges remain in understanding and manipulating EV formation and release pathways.

    Conclusions:

    • Further research into the molecular mechanisms governing EV biogenesis is essential.
    • Development of tools to control EV cargo loading and release is needed.
    • Elucidating EV formation and function will clarify their physiological roles in vivo.