Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Concept Videos

Overview of Exosomes01:36

Overview of Exosomes

3.9K
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...
3.9K
Exocytosis00:50

Exocytosis

9.9K
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...
9.9K
Exocytosis00:51

Exocytosis

75.0K
Exocytosis is used to release material from cells. Like other bulk transport mechanisms, exocytosis requires energy.
75.0K

You might also read

Related Articles

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

Sort by
Same author

Exosome Tethering Requires Tetherin Homodimerisation.

Biology of the cell·2025
Same author

Encephalomyocarditis virus protein 2B* interacts with 14-3-3 proteins through a phosphorylated C-terminal binding motif.

mBio·2025
Same author

Endogenous gene editing of alveolar organoids reveals that expression of pathogenic variant SFTPC-I73T disrupts endosomal function, epithelial polarity and wound healing.

bioRxiv : the preprint server for biology·2025
Same author

Tethered Exosomes Containing the Matrix Metalloproteinase MT1-MMP Contribute to Extracellular Matrix Degradation.

Journal of extracellular vesicles·2025
Same author

Interactions between placental Hofbauer cells and <i>L. monocytogenes</i> change throughout gestation.

Science immunology·2025
Same author

The EMCV protein 2B* is required for efficient cell lysis via both caspase-3-dependent and -independent pathways during infection.

The Journal of general virology·2025
Same journal

An endogenous viral element of Aedes albopictus is translated and limits cognate virus.

BMC biology·2026
Same journal

Environmental sex determination in the cyst nematode Globodera pallida defaults to male development.

BMC biology·2026
Same journal

Marine mammals as models for charting the evolution of social vocal rhythm.

BMC biology·2026
Same journal

Associations between immunosenescence and domain-specific cognition in the Health and Retirement Study Harmonized Cognitive Assessment Protocol.

BMC biology·2026
Same journal

Experimental evidence for behavioural cooling as a response to virus infection in an ectothermic vertebrate.

BMC biology·2026
Same journal

DNA damage at an early developmental stage affects neurodevelopment in sterlet (Acipenser ruthenus).

BMC biology·2026
See all related articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Mar 19, 2026

Isolation and Characterization of Exosomes from Skeletal Muscle Fibroblasts
06:27

Isolation and Characterization of Exosomes from Skeletal Muscle Fibroblasts

Published on: May 16, 2020

4.0K

Q&A: What are exosomes, exactly?

James R Edgar1

  • 1Cambridge Institute for Medical Research, University of Cambridge, Hills Road, Cambridge, CB2 0XY, UK. je333@cam.ac.uk.

BMC Biology
|June 15, 2016
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Exosomes, tiny vesicles involved in cell communication and disease, still hold many biological mysteries. Further research is needed to fully understand these extracellular vesicles and their roles.

More Related Videos

Sample Preparation and Imaging of Exosomes by Transmission Electron Microscopy
11:15

Sample Preparation and Imaging of Exosomes by Transmission Electron Microscopy

Published on: January 4, 2018

41.6K
Purification and microRNA Profiling of Exosomes Derived from Blood and Culture Media
10:45

Purification and microRNA Profiling of Exosomes Derived from Blood and Culture Media

Published on: June 14, 2013

32.5K

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Mar 19, 2026

Isolation and Characterization of Exosomes from Skeletal Muscle Fibroblasts
06:27

Isolation and Characterization of Exosomes from Skeletal Muscle Fibroblasts

Published on: May 16, 2020

4.0K
Sample Preparation and Imaging of Exosomes by Transmission Electron Microscopy
11:15

Sample Preparation and Imaging of Exosomes by Transmission Electron Microscopy

Published on: January 4, 2018

41.6K
Purification and microRNA Profiling of Exosomes Derived from Blood and Culture Media
10:45

Purification and microRNA Profiling of Exosomes Derived from Blood and Culture Media

Published on: June 14, 2013

32.5K

Area of Science:

  • Cell Biology
  • Extracellular Vesicles
  • Biochemistry

Background:

  • Exosomes are extracellular vesicles discovered 30 years ago.
  • They are implicated in intercellular communication and disease transmission.
  • Exosomes are also explored for drug discovery applications.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To define exosomes and their biological significance.
  • To highlight challenges in studying exosome biology.
  • To discuss current definitions and outstanding research questions.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review and synthesis of existing research on exosomes.
  • Analysis of current definitions and experimental methodologies.
  • Identification of key knowledge gaps in exosome biology.

Main Results:

  • Exosomes are key mediators of cell-cell communication.
  • Studying exosomes presents significant technical and definitional challenges.
  • Fundamental questions regarding exosome biogenesis, function, and heterogeneity persist.

Conclusions:

  • Despite extensive research, the fundamental biology of exosomes remains incompletely understood.
  • Clarifying exosome definitions and improving study methodologies are crucial.
  • Addressing outstanding issues will enhance understanding of their roles in health and disease.