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Overview of Exosomes

Overview of Exosomes

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...

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Updated: Dec 29, 2025

Using Nanoplasmon-Enhanced Scattering and Low-Magnification Microscope Imaging to Quantify Tumor-Derived Exosomes

Using Nanoplasmon-Enhanced Scattering and Low-Magnification Microscope Imaging to Quantify Tumor-Derived Exosomes

Published on: May 24, 2019

[Exosomes: Nanodust? German version].

¹Departement Biomedizin und Klinik der Otorhinolaryngologie, Universitätsspital Basel und Zentrum für Biomedizin, Petersgraben 4, 4031, Basel, Schweiz. laurent.muller@usb.ch.

|January 31, 2020

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

Exosomes, once dismissed, are now recognized as key biological messengers involved in cell communication. Their emerging roles in immunomodulation and oncology highlight their diagnostic and therapeutic potential.

Keywords:

Extracellular vesicles Immunomodulation Medical oncology Microscopy, electron Nanoparticles

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Preparation of Exosomes for siRNA Delivery to Cancer Cells

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Published on: December 5, 2018

Area of Science:

Cell Biology
Nanotechnology
Immunology

Background:

Exosomes were historically overlooked, viewed as cellular debris.
Recent research has established exosomes as crucial nanoparticles in intercellular communication.
Their functions extend beyond waste removal to active signaling.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate the evolving understanding of exosome formation, release, and function.
To highlight the immunomodulatory properties of exosomes.
To explore the potential of exosomes in diagnostics and therapeutics, particularly in oncology.

Main Methods:

Electron microscopy for initial observation.
Advanced molecular and cellular biology techniques to study exosome biogenesis and secretion.
Functional assays to assess immunomodulatory effects.
In vitro and in vivo models to evaluate diagnostic and therapeutic applications.

Main Results:

Exosomes are now understood as selectively secreted, biologically active particles.
Exosomes play a significant role in modulating immune responses.
Their involvement in intercellular communication is a key finding.

Conclusions:

Exosomes represent a paradigm shift from cellular debris to vital signaling components.
Exosomes possess significant immunomodulatory capabilities.
Exosomes are promising candidates for novel diagnostic and therapeutic strategies in oncology and beyond.