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Exosomes or microvesicles? Two kinds of extracellular vesicles with different routes to modify protozoan-host cell

Ingrid Evans-Osses1, Luis H Reichembach, Marcel I Ramirez

  • 1Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil.

Parasitology Research
|August 15, 2015
PubMed

Insights

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) mediate communication between parasite and host cells, transferring biomolecules. Classifying EVs as exosomes or microvesicles clarifies their distinct roles in infectious diseases.

Area of Science:

  • Cell Biology
  • Parasitology
  • Biochemistry

Background:

  • Cell-cell communication is crucial in host-parasite interactions.
  • Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are key mediators of this communication, transferring biomolecules like miRNA and proteins.
  • Understanding EV biogenesis (exosomes vs. microvesicles) is vital for deciphering their roles.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the role of EVs in protozoan-host cell interactions.
  • To differentiate between exosomes and microvesicles based on biogenesis and function.
  • To discuss the potential of EVs in diagnosing and treating infectious diseases.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review focusing on extracellular vesicle research.
  • Comparative analysis of exosome and microvesicle biogenesis and function.
  • Exploration of current and future research perspectives on EVs.

Main Results:

  • EVs facilitate dynamic communication between parasite and host cells.
  • Exosomes (from multivesicular bodies) and microvesicles (from plasma membranes) exhibit distinct origins and functions.
  • EVs transfer diverse biomolecules, influencing host-parasite interactions.

Conclusions:

  • Classification of EVs based on biogenesis enhances understanding of their specific roles.
  • EVs hold significant potential for the diagnosis and development of novel chemotherapies for infectious diseases.
  • Further research into EV biology is warranted to fully exploit their therapeutic applications.

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