Related Experiment Video
Updated: Mar 6, 2026
10:45
Purification and microRNA Profiling of Exosomes Derived from Blood and Culture Media
Published on: June 14, 2013
32.5K
Exosomes and their role in the micro-/macro-environment: a comprehensive review
Naureen Javeed1, Debabrata Mukhopadhyay1,2
1Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55905, USA.
Journal of Biomedical Research
|March 15, 2017
Summary
Extracellular vesicles, particularly cancer-derived exosomes, mediate metastasis and influence the tumor microenvironment. These vesicles show promise as biomarkers for cancer diagnosis and treatment strategies.
Area of Science:
- Cell Biology
- Cancer Research
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Extracellular vesicles (EVs) facilitate intercellular communication by transferring DNA, mRNA, miRNAs, and proteins.
- EVs play a role in horizontal gene transfer, impacting cellular physiology and disease progression.
- Exosomes, a subtype of EVs, are abundant in biological fluids and influence multiple organ systems.
Purpose of the Study:
- This review focuses on cancer-derived exosomes and their roles in metastasis, angiogenesis, immune modulation, and the tumor microenvironment.
- To explore the potential of exosomes as biomarkers for cancer detection and prognosis.
- To discuss the therapeutic implications of exosomes in cancer diagnosis and treatment.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of studies on extracellular vesicles and exosomes in cancer.
- Analysis of research on exosome-mediated intercellular communication in oncogenesis.
- Synthesis of data regarding exosome content and function in cancer progression.
Main Results:
- Cancer-derived exosomes are key mediators of metastasis, angiogenesis, and immune evasion.
- Exosomes modulate the tumor macro- and microenvironment, influencing disease progression.
- Exosomes possess characteristics suitable for use as cancer biomarkers.
Conclusions:
- Exosomes are critical players in cancer progression and metastasis.
- Exosomes hold significant potential as non-invasive biomarkers for cancer diagnosis and prognosis.
- Targeting exosomes or utilizing them therapeutically could revolutionize cancer patient care.
Related Concept Videos
01:36Overview of Exosomes
3.8K
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...
Stahl et al. discovered exosomes in 1983, but the exosomes were initially considered waste products released from the...
3.8K
00:51Exocytosis
74.3K
Exocytosis is used to release material from cells. Like other bulk transport mechanisms, exocytosis requires energy.
74.3K
00:50Exocytosis
9.7K
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...
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...
9.7K
02:17The Tumor Microenvironment
8.0K
Every normal cell or tissue is embedded in a complex local environment called stroma, consisting of different cell types, a basal membrane, and blood vessels. As normal cells mutate and develop into cancer cells, their local environment also changes to allow cancer progression. The tumor microenvironment (TME) consists of a complex cellular matrix of stromal cells and the developing tumor. The cross-talk between cancer cells and surrounding stromal cells is critical to disrupt normal tissue...
8.0K
01:37Eukaryotic Compartmentalization
19.3K
One of the distinguishing features of eukaryotic cells is that they contain membrane-bound organelles, such as the nucleus and mitochondria, that carry out specialized functions. Since biological membranes are only selectively permeable to solutes, they help create a compartment with controlled conditions inside an organelle. These microenvironments are tailored to the organelle's specific functions and help isolate them from the surrounding cytosol.
For example, lysosomes in the animal...
For example, lysosomes in the animal...
19.3K
01:46Eukaryotic Compartmentalizations
181.1K
One of the distinguishing features of eukaryotic cells is that they contain membrane-bound organelles, such as the nucleus and mitochondria, that carry out specialized functions. Since biological membranes are only selectively permeable to solutes, they help create a compartment with controlled conditions inside an organelle. These microenvironments are tailored to the organelle's specific functions and help isolate them from the surrounding cytosol.
For example, lysosomes in the animal cells...
For example, lysosomes in the animal cells...
181.1K