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Updated: Jan 16, 2026
10:09
Characterization of Immune Cell-derived Extracellular Vesicles and Studying Functional Impact on Cell Environment
Published on: June 2, 2020
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Extracellular vesicles and mononuclear phagocyte axis: Interactions shaping immune responses
Tulio J Lopera1, Gloria Vásquez1, Mauricio Rojas1,2
1Grupo Inmunología Celular e Inmunogenética, Instituto Investigaciones Médicas, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Antioquia, Medellín, Colombia.
International Reviews of Immunology
|October 3, 2025
Summary
Extracellular vesicles (EVs) modulate mononuclear phagocytes, influencing immune responses in health and disease. This review highlights their therapeutic potential in reprogramming these cells for various pathological conditions.
Area of Science:
- Cell Biology
- Immunology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are key mediators of intercellular communication.
- EVs interact with mononuclear phagocytes, affecting their function.
- Mononuclear phagocytes (monocytes and macrophages) are crucial for innate immunity and tissue homeostasis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the role of EVs in modulating monocyte and macrophage profiles and functions.
- To explore how EVs influence immune responses in various physiological and pathological contexts.
- To identify the therapeutic potential of EVs in modulating mononuclear phagocyte activity.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of studies on EVs and mononuclear phagocytes.
- Analysis of factors influencing EV-mononuclear phagocyte interactions (cargo, size, origin, receptors, endocytosis).
- Synthesis of findings across different disease scenarios (homeostasis, infection, inflammation, autoimmunity, cancer).
Main Results:
- EVs shape mononuclear phagocyte phenotypes for homeostasis and regulation.
- EVs induce pro-inflammatory polarization in infectious diseases, systemic inflammation, and autoimmunity.
- EVs contribute to imbalanced pro- and anti-inflammatory responses in cancer development.
Conclusions:
- EVs are critical regulators of mononuclear phagocyte function in diverse settings.
- EVs can be therapeutically exploited to modulate mononuclear phagocytes for treating various diseases.
- Understanding the EV-mononuclear phagocyte axis offers novel therapeutic strategies.
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