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

Intralumenal Vesicles and Multivesicular Bodies

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...

Vesicular Tubular Clusters

Vesicular Tubular Clusters

After budding out from the ER membrane, some COPII vesicles lose their coat and fuse with one another to form larger vesicles and interconnected tubules called vesicular tubular clusters or VTCs. These clusters constitute a compartment at the ER-Golgi interface known as ERGIC (Endoplasmic Reticulum Golgi Intermediate Compartment). The ERGIC is a mobile membrane-bound cargo transport system that sorts proteins secreted from ER and delivers them to the Golgi.
With the help of motor proteins such...

COP Coated Vesicles

COP Coated Vesicles

Membrane-enclosed structures called vesicles transport proteins and lipids across the cell. The vesicles derive their cargo from the plasma membrane, Golgi, ER, or endosome. Coated vesicles are spherical, protein-coated carriers with a 50–100 nm diameter that mediate bidirectional transport between the ER and the Golgi. The distribution of proteins between the ER and Golgi complex is dynamic and is maintained by different coated vesicles. Their formation is driven by the assembly of...

Clathrin Coated Vesicles

Clathrin Coated Vesicles

Clathrin-coated vesicles use endocytosis to transport receptors and lysosomal hydrolases from the Golgi to the lysosome in the late secretory pathway. Clathrin-mediated endocytosis was the first described endocytic process, and Clathrin-coated vesicles remain one of the most well-studied transport vesicles. The molecular machinery that generates clathrin-coated vesicles comprises over 50 proteins that precisely coordinate vesicle formation. Cell surface receptors concentrated in indented sites...

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...

You might also read

Related Articles

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

Sort by

Same author

Neonicotinoid pesticides disrupt gingival epithelial barrier function.

Toxicology reports·2026

Same author

VPS13B, gene responsible for Cohen syndrome, regulates gingival epithelial barrier function via intracellular trafficking of coxsackievirus and adenovirus receptor.

Scientific reports·2026

Same author

Diabetes alters the supragingival microbiome through plasma-to-saliva migration of glucose and fructose.

Microbiome·2025

Same author

<i>HAX1</i>, gene responsible for Kostmann syndrome, regulates gingival epithelial barrier function via intracellular trafficking of JAM1.

Frontiers in cell and developmental biology·2025

Same author

SLC37A4, gene responsible for glycogen storage disease type 1b, regulates gingival epithelial barrier function via JAM1 expression.

Scientific reports·2024

Same author

Estimated economic costs of dental implants among older South Korean adults, 2015-2018.

Clinical oral implants research·2024

Search research articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Apr 15, 2026

In Vesiculo Synthesis of Peptide Membrane Precursors for Autonomous Vesicle Growth

In Vesiculo Synthesis of Peptide Membrane Precursors for Autonomous Vesicle Growth

Published on: June 28, 2019

Outer membrane vesicles - offensive weapons or good Samaritans?

Ingar Olsen¹, Atsuo Amano²

¹Department of Oral Biology, Faculty of Dentistry, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway; ingar.olsen@odont.uio.no.

Journal of Oral Microbiology

|April 5, 2015

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

Outer membrane vesicles (OMVs) are versatile bacterial nanostructures with diverse roles, from virulence factors to immune modulators. These vesicles are now being explored for novel therapeutic applications, including vaccines and targeted drug delivery systems.

Keywords:

defense offense outer membrane vesicles versatility in functions

More Related Videos

Visualization of Endoplasmic Reticulum Subdomains in Cultured Cells

Visualization of Endoplasmic Reticulum Subdomains in Cultured Cells

Published on: February 18, 2014

Author Spotlight: Membrane Protein Reconstitution in Synthetic Cells

Author Spotlight: Membrane Protein Reconstitution in Synthetic Cells

Published on: March 8, 2024

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Apr 15, 2026

In Vesiculo Synthesis of Peptide Membrane Precursors for Autonomous Vesicle Growth

In Vesiculo Synthesis of Peptide Membrane Precursors for Autonomous Vesicle Growth

Published on: June 28, 2019

Visualization of Endoplasmic Reticulum Subdomains in Cultured Cells

Visualization of Endoplasmic Reticulum Subdomains in Cultured Cells

Published on: February 18, 2014

Author Spotlight: Membrane Protein Reconstitution in Synthetic Cells

Author Spotlight: Membrane Protein Reconstitution in Synthetic Cells

Published on: March 8, 2024

Area of Science:

Microbiology
Nanotechnology
Immunology

Background:

Outer membrane vesicles (OMVs) were initially dismissed as artifacts but are now recognized for their complex roles in bacterial biology.
OMVs function as critical mediators of bacterial communication, virulence, and immune system interactions.
These nanostructures are secreted via a distinct pathway, selectively packaging and protecting their molecular cargo.

Purpose of the Study:

To explore the multifaceted functions of bacterial outer membrane vesicles (OMVs).
To highlight the potential of OMVs in therapeutic applications, including vaccines and drug delivery.
To underscore the significance of OMVs in host-microbe interactions and immune regulation.

Main Methods:

Literature review and synthesis of existing research on bacterial OMVs.
Analysis of OMV cargo selection and secretion mechanisms.
Evaluation of OMV roles in cell-cell signaling, immune response, and nutrient exchange.

Main Results:

OMVs exhibit remarkable functional versatility, acting as virulence factors, decoys, signaling molecules, and immune modulators.
OMVs play a role in maintaining gut microbiota homeostasis and host-microbe beneficial interactions.
The study confirms OMVs' potential as platforms for vaccines, adjuvants, and targeted drug delivery for various diseases.

Conclusions:

Bacterial OMVs are highly adaptable nanostructures with significant implications for both pathogenesis and host health.
OMVs represent a promising frontier for developing innovative therapeutic strategies against bacterial and viral infections.
Further research into OMV engineering could unlock new avenues for precision medicine and disease treatment.