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Related Concept Videos

Overview of Exosomes01:36

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...
Exocytosis00:50

Exocytosis

Exocytosis is a process that releases molecules outside the cell. Like other bulk transport mechanisms, exocytosis requires energy.
Exocytosis is the opposite of endocytosis, which brings molecules inside the cell. Sometimes, the released materials are signaling molecules. For example, neurons typically use exocytosis to release neurotransmitters. Cells also use exocytosis to insert proteins such as ion channels into their cell membranes, secrete proteins for use in the extracellular matrix, or...
Exocytosis00:51

Exocytosis

Exocytosis is used to release material from cells. Like other bulk transport mechanisms, exocytosis requires energy.
Vesicular Trasport: Endocytosis, Transcytosis and Exocytosis01:18

Vesicular Trasport: Endocytosis, Transcytosis and Exocytosis

Vesicular transport is a cellular process that encompasses the engulfment of particles or dissolved substances by cells. It involves 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 eating"). Pinocytosis is...
Introduction to Membrane Traffic01:44

Introduction to Membrane Traffic

The ER, Golgi apparatus, endosomes, and lysosomes work in tandem to modify, sort, and package proteins and lipids. An integrated membrane trafficking network facilitates the back and forth shuttling of molecules within different organelles in the same cell or across the cell membrane.
The transport of soluble and membrane proteins is mediated by transport vesicles that collect cargo from one cellular compartment and deliver it to another by fusing with the target organelle membrane. The Rab...
Recycling Endosomes and Transcytosis00:58

Recycling Endosomes and Transcytosis

The recycling endosome, also known as the endosomal recycling compartment (ERC), is a part of the slow-recycling process of the endocytic pathway. Molecules internalized through receptor-mediated endocytosis are either degraded in the lysosomes or are recycled to the plasma membrane through the fast- or slow-recycling route.
The recycling endosome is not a single organelle but an extensively tubulated network of recycling pathways. It functions in storing molecules or transporting them across...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 26, 2026

Isolation and Characterization of Exosomes from Skeletal Muscle Fibroblasts
06:27

Isolation and Characterization of Exosomes from Skeletal Muscle Fibroblasts

Published on: May 16, 2020

Exofection by exosomes: A transient functional cargo transfer.

Ramkumar Menon1, Madhuri Tatiparthy1, Jessica Selim1

  • 1Division of Basic Science and Translational Research, Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, The University of Texas Medical Branch, Texas, USA.

Extracellular Vesicle
|June 25, 2026
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Exofection describes how donor cells use exosomes to deliver biomolecules, temporarily restoring function to deficient recipient cells. This intercellular communication mechanism shows promise for therapeutic development.

Keywords:
Extracellular vesiclesParacrine signalsReproductionTransfection

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Isolation and Characterization of RNA-Containing Exosomes
09:43

Isolation and Characterization of RNA-Containing Exosomes

Published on: January 9, 2012

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Last Updated: Jun 26, 2026

Isolation and Characterization of Exosomes from Skeletal Muscle Fibroblasts
06:27

Isolation and Characterization of Exosomes from Skeletal Muscle Fibroblasts

Published on: May 16, 2020

Isolation and Characterization of RNA-Containing Exosomes
09:43

Isolation and Characterization of RNA-Containing Exosomes

Published on: January 9, 2012

Area of Science:

  • Cell Biology
  • Biochemistry
  • Nanomedicine

Background:

  • Exosomes are key mediators of intercellular communication, carrying biomolecules that reflect cellular state.
  • Exosome biology is crucial for cell signaling and paracrine functions.
  • Advancements highlight exosomes' role in physiological and pathological conditions.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To highlight the concept of exofection, a donor-recipient cell communication process mediated by exosomes.
  • To explore the diverse biological contexts and therapeutic potential of exofection.

Main Methods:

  • Review of existing studies across various biological fields.
  • Analysis of exosome cargo and its functional impact on recipient cells.
  • Examination of exofection in different pathophysiological scenarios.

Main Results:

  • Exofection involves donor cells delivering exosomal biomolecules to recipient cells, transiently restoring function.
  • Examples include restoration of mitochondrial function in ischemic brain tissue and regulation of inflammation in pancreatitis.
  • Exosomes from various sources (e.g., Th2 cells, umbilical cord blood) demonstrate diverse therapeutic effects like promoting cell survival and wound healing.

Conclusions:

  • Exofection is a vital mechanism for intercellular communication and functional restoration.
  • The transient nature of exofection is dependent on sustained donor cell activity.
  • Exofection holds significant potential for therapeutic development and understanding disease pathophysiology.