Search research articles

ABOUT JoVE

Overview Leadership Blog JoVE Help Center

AUTHORS

Publishing Process Editorial Board Scope & Policies Peer Review FAQ Submit

LIBRARIANS

Testimonials Subscriptions Access Resources Library Advisory Board FAQ

RESEARCH

JoVE Journal Methods Collections JoVE Encyclopedia of Experiments Archive

EDUCATION

JoVE Core JoVE Business JoVE Science Education JoVE Lab Manual Faculty Resource Center Faculty Site

Terms & Conditions of Use

Related Concept Videos

Overview of Exosomes

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...

Exocytosis

Exocytosis

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

Exocytosis

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...

Osmosis

Osmosis

Osmosis is the movement of free water molecules through a semipermeable membrane. The water's concentration gradient across the membrane is inversely proportional to the solutes' concentration. Whereas diffusion transports material across membranes and within cells, osmosis transports only water across a membrane, and the membrane limits the diffusion of solutes in the water. Osmosis is a special case of diffusion.
Water, like other substances, moves from a high concentration of...

Osmosis

Osmosis

Approximately 60% to 95% of the weight of living organisms is attributed to water. Therefore, maintaining appropriate water balance within cells is of paramount importance. Osmosis is the movement of water across a semipermeable membrane, such as a cell’s plasma membrane. In living organisms, water plays a crucial role as a solvent—a molecule that dissolves other molecules.

Capillary Exchange

Capillary Exchange

The cardiovascular system's chief role is to disseminate gases, nutrients, waste, and other substances to the body's cells. Small molecules like gases, lipids, and lipid-soluble substances directly diffuse through capillary wall endothelial cell membranes. Glucose, amino acids, and ions, including sodium, potassium, calcium, and chloride, use transporters for facilitated diffusion via membrane-specific channels. Glucose, ions, and bigger molecules may also pass through intercellular...

You might also read

Related Articles

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

Sort by

Same author

An Integrated muti-omics cell atlas of the human trabecular meshwork and ciliary body.

bioRxiv : the preprint server for biology·2026

Same author

Segmental Outflow and Trabecular Meshwork Stiffness in an Ocular Hypertensive Mouse Model.

Investigative ophthalmology & visual science·2026

Same author

A Primary Open-Angle Glaucoma Locus Near Transcription Factor <i>PRRX1</i> Identified in the Million Veteran Program.

Ophthalmology science·2026

Same author

Principles of resident tissue macrophages revealed by the eye.

Advances in immunology·2026

Same author

Microtubule stability modulates Schlemm's canal cell mechanobiology and outflow facility in glaucoma.

bioRxiv : the preprint server for biology·2026

Same author

REPLY.

Ophthalmology·2026

Same journal

Tanshinone IIA Inhibits Choroidal Neovascularization and Restores Outer Blood-Retinal Barrier Function in Vldlr Knockout Mice.

Experimental eye research·2026

Same journal

Understanding the Ocular Accumulation of Mefuparib and its N-dealkylation metabolite: Pharmacokinetics, Melanin Affinity, and Cellular Disposition.

Experimental eye research·2026

Same journal

Mitochondrial Dysfunction and Diabetic Retinopathy: Research Progress from Pathogenic Mechanisms to Therapeutic Targets.

Experimental eye research·2026

Same journal

Middle-wavelength green ambient light attenuates lens-induced myopia progression and is associated with suppression of the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway in guinea pigs.

Experimental eye research·2026

Same journal

Experimental Corneal Alkali Burn Models: Methodological Standards, Biological Outcomes, and Translational Gaps.

Experimental eye research·2026

Same journal

Subretinal injection in the USH1CR31* pig model leads to chorioretinal atrophy that limits evaluation of efficacy of an AAV-mediated gene therapy.

Experimental eye research·2026

See all related articles

Search research articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Apr 18, 2026

Characterizing Extracellular Vesicles from Biological Fluids

Characterizing Extracellular Vesicles from Biological Fluids

Published on: February 28, 2025

Human aqueous humor exosomes.

W Michael Dismuke¹, Pratap Challa¹, Iris Navarro¹

¹Department of Ophthalmology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, USA.

Experimental Eye Research

|January 27, 2015

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

Aqueous humor (AH) contains exosomes, which are tiny vesicles carrying microRNAs (miRNAs). These AH exosomes may play a role in communication between eye tissues that regulate intraocular pressure.

Keywords:

Aqueous humor Exosomal RNA Exosome Glaucoma miRNA

More Related Videos

Bronchoalveolar Lavage Exosomes in Lipopolysaccharide-induced Septic Lung Injury

Bronchoalveolar Lavage Exosomes in Lipopolysaccharide-induced Septic Lung Injury

Published on: May 21, 2018

Isolation of Extracellular Vesicles from Murine Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid Using an Ultrafiltration Centrifugation Technique

Isolation of Extracellular Vesicles from Murine Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid Using an Ultrafiltration Centrifugation Technique

Published on: November 9, 2018

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Apr 18, 2026

Characterizing Extracellular Vesicles from Biological Fluids

Characterizing Extracellular Vesicles from Biological Fluids

Published on: February 28, 2025

Bronchoalveolar Lavage Exosomes in Lipopolysaccharide-induced Septic Lung Injury

Bronchoalveolar Lavage Exosomes in Lipopolysaccharide-induced Septic Lung Injury

Published on: May 21, 2018

Isolation of Extracellular Vesicles from Murine Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid Using an Ultrafiltration Centrifugation Technique

Isolation of Extracellular Vesicles from Murine Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid Using an Ultrafiltration Centrifugation Technique

Published on: November 9, 2018

Area of Science:

Ophthalmology
Cell Biology
Molecular Biology

Background:

Aqueous humor (AH) is vital for maintaining intraocular pressure and ocular tissue health.
Extracellular nanovesicles, specifically exosomes, are increasingly recognized for their role in intercellular communication.
Exosomes within AH are a potential source of biomarkers and therapeutic targets.

Purpose of the Study:

To characterize the physical properties of exosomes isolated from human aqueous humor.
To analyze the small RNA content, particularly microRNAs (miRNAs), within these AH exosomes.
To investigate the potential role of AH exosomes in intraocular communication.

Main Methods:

Human aqueous humor was collected during cataract surgery.
Exosomes were isolated using serial ultracentrifugation.
Nanoparticle tracking analysis was used to determine exosome size and concentration.
Small RNA sequencing was performed to identify exosomal RNA (esRNA) content.

Main Results:

A single population of AH exosomes with a mean size of 121 ± 11 nm was identified.
Ultracentrifugation resulted in an 87% loss of exosomes.
Over 10 different miRNAs were detected, with miR-486-5p, miR-204, and miR-184 being abundant.
The majority of extracellular vesicles in AH were within the exosome size range.

Conclusions:

AH exosomes are a significant component of aqueous humor.
AH exosomes contain a variety of miRNAs that could be involved in cell signaling.
These findings suggest a potential role for exosome-mediated miRNA transfer in regulating intraocular pressure and ocular health.