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Updated: Aug 9, 2025
Direct Stochastic Optical Reconstruction Microscopy of Extracellular Vesicles in Three Dimensions
Published on: August 26, 2021
Extracellular vesicles in bacterial and fungal diseases - Pathogenesis to diagnostic biomarkers
Jnana A1, Sadiya S S1, Satyamoorthy K2
1Department of Biotechnology, Manipal School of Life Sciences, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, India.
Abstract:
Intercellular communication among microbes plays an important role in disease exacerbation. Recent advances have described small vesicles, termed as "extracellular vesicles" (EVs), previously disregarded as "cellular dust" to be vital in the intracellular and intercellular communication in host-microbe interactions. These signals have been known to initiate host damage and transfer of a variety of cargo including proteins, lipid particles, DNA, mRNA, and miRNAs. Microbial EVs, referred to generally as "membrane vesicles" (MVs), play a key role in disease exacerbation suggesting their importance in pathogenicity. Host EVs help coordinate antimicrobial responses and prime the immune cells for pathogen attack. Hence EVs with their central role in microbe-host communication, may serve as important diagnostic biomarkers of microbial pathogenesis. In this review, we summarize current research regarding the roles of EVs as markers of microbial pathogenesis with specific focus on their interaction with host immune defence and their potential as diagnostic biomarkers in disease conditions.
Insights
Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are crucial in microbe-host communication, mediating disease and immune responses. These microbial and host EVs show potential as diagnostic biomarkers for various diseases.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Immunology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Intercellular communication is vital in microbial interactions and disease progression.
- Extracellular vesicles (EVs), previously overlooked, are key mediators of host-microbe communication.
- Microbial EVs (membrane vesicles) contribute to pathogenicity, while host EVs modulate immune responses.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the current research on EVs in microbial pathogenesis.
- To highlight the role of EVs in host immune defense.
- To explore the potential of EVs as diagnostic biomarkers.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of current research on microbial and host EVs.
- Analysis of EV cargo (proteins, DNA, RNA, lipids) and their functions.
- Examination of EV interactions with host immune cells.
Main Results:
- EVs facilitate intercellular communication, transferring various molecules between microbes and hosts.
- Microbial EVs contribute to disease exacerbation and pathogenicity.
- Host EVs play a role in coordinating antimicrobial defense and immune priming.
Conclusions:
- EVs are central to microbe-host communication and play significant roles in pathogenesis.
- EVs represent promising diagnostic biomarkers for microbial diseases.
- Further research into EVs could lead to novel diagnostic and therapeutic strategies.
