Extracellular Vesicles Derived from Trypanosomatids: The Key to Decoding Host-Parasite Communication

Trypanosomatids constitute a family of parasitic protozoa that cause significant human and veterinary diseases that are classified as neglected zoonotic diseases (NZDs). In a rapidly evolving world, these diseases have the potential to become a world health problem no longer solely associated with low-income countries. Therefore, the development of new strategies to control and restrain the dissemination of trypanosomatids is imperative. Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are a heterogeneous group of membrane-enclosed vesicles released by prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells. They can be found in diverse body fluids that carry biologically active molecules, including proteins, nucleic acids, lipids, and carbohydrates. EVs participate in cell-to-cell communication by delivering their cargo content to recipient cells. Thus, EVs play a role in regulating normal physiological processes, including immune surveillance and tissue repair, as well as being involved in pathological conditions, like cancer. In recent years, EVs have attracted significant attention from the scientific community, mainly due to their immune regulatory properties. Therefore, this review examines the role played by trypanosomatid-derived EVs in leishmaniases and trypanosomiasis, highlighting their biological role in host-parasite communication and exploring their potential future applications in controlling NZDs, especially those caused by trypanosomatids.