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Extracellular Microvesicles (ExMVs) in Cell to Cell Communication: A Role of Telocytes

Mariusz Z Ratajczak1, Daniel Ratajczak2, Daniel Pedziwiatr2

  • 1Stem Cell Institute at James Graham Brown Cancer Center, University of Louisville, 500 S. Floyd Street, Rm. 107, Louisville, KY, 40202, USA. mzrata01@louisville.edu.

Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology
|November 1, 2016
PubMed

Insights

Extracellular microvesicles (ExMVs), an ancient cell communication method, are released by cells. Telocytes, a novel cell type, utilize ExMVs to mediate biological effects in various organs.

Area of Science:

  • Cell Biology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Cell Communication

Background:

  • Cell-cell communication is fundamental to multicellular life.
  • Extracellular microvesicles (ExMVs) represent an evolutionarily conserved mechanism for intercellular signaling.
  • ExMVs are membrane-bound vesicles carrying diverse biomolecules like mRNA, miRNA, and proteins.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To explore the role of ExMVs in cell-cell communication.
  • To investigate the emerging link between ExMVs and telocytes.
  • To understand how telocytes utilize ExMVs for biological functions.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of ExMVs biogenesis and composition.
  • Characterization of telocytes and their secreted vesicles.
  • Investigation of ExMV transfer and functional effects on target cells.

Main Results:

  • ExMVs are released via exocytosis or direct budding, differing in size (exosomes ~100 nM, larger ExMVs up to 1 μM).
  • Telocytes, a newly identified cell type, release ExMVs.
  • Telocyte-derived ExMVs are enriched with mRNA, miRNA, proteins, and biological mediators.

Conclusions:

  • ExMVs are a critical component of intercellular communication networks.
  • Telocytes represent a novel cell type that communicates via ExMVs.
  • Telocyte-derived ExMVs play a significant role in mediating biological effects across organs.
Keywords:
Cell-cell communicationEctosomesExosomesExtracellular microvesicles (ExMVs)Horizontal transfer of mRNAMembrane lipid raftsMultivesicular cargoTelocytes

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