Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 17, 2025

Characterization of Immune Cell-derived Extracellular Vesicles and Studying Functional Impact on Cell Environment
Published on: June 2, 2020
The biology and function of extracellular vesicles in immune response and immunity
1Department of Cancer Biology, Metastasis Research Center, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA; Department of Bioengineering, Rice University, Houston, TX, USA; Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA.
Abstract:
Extracellular vesicles (EVs), such as ectosomes and exosomes, contain DNA, RNA, proteins and are encased in a phospholipid bilayer. EVs provide intralumenal cargo for delivery into the cytoplasm of recipient cells with an impact on the function of immune cells, in part because their biogenesis can also intersect with antigen processing and presentation. Motile EVs from activated immune cells may increase the frequency of immune synapses on recipient cells in a proximity-independent manner for local and long-distance modulation of systemic immunity in inflammation, autoimmunity, organ fibrosis, cancer, and infections. Natural and engineered EVs exhibit the ability to impact innate and adaptive immunity and are entering clinical trials. EVs are likely a component of an optimally functioning immune system, with the potential to serve as immunotherapeutics. Considering the evolving evidence, it is possible that EVs could be the original primordial organic units that preceded the creation of the first cell.
Related Concept Videos
Overview of Exosomes
Stahl et al. discovered exosomes in 1983, but the exosomes were initially considered waste products released from the...
Intralumenal Vesicles and Multivesicular Bodies
Overview of Secretory Vesicles
Various proteins regulate the aggregation of molecules inside the secretory vesicles. Chromogranins...
Functions of the Lymphatic and Immune System
The primary lymphoid organs, including the bone marrow and the thymus, serve as the maturation sites for lymphocytes. Secondary lymphoid organs, like the mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue, activate these lymphocytes and serve as...
Vesicular Trasport: Endocytosis, Transcytosis and Exocytosis
Endocytosis is a cellular mechanism that involves the inward folding of the cell membrane to create vesicles that capture and transport large drug molecules. This process comprises two distinct methods: pinocytosis (often referred to as "cell drinking") and phagocytosis (often referred to as "cell...
Introduction to Lymphatic and Immune System
The immune responses can be categorized into two types: innate and adaptive. Innate immunity comprises nonspecific defenses we are...

