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Updated: Aug 6, 2026

Characterization of Immune Cell-derived Extracellular Vesicles and Studying Functional Impact on Cell Environment
Published on: June 2, 2020
Extracellular Vesicles and Cell Communication in Eukaryotic Microorganisms
Wanderley de Souza1,2, Emile S Barrias2,3
11Laboratório de Ultraestrutura Celular Hertha Meyer, Instituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho, Centro de Ciências da Saúde, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brasil;
Abstract:
Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are released by virtually all cells in normal and in pathological conditions. They exhibit diverse sizes, contents, and surface markers. These vesicles transport cellular components such as proteins, mRNAs, miRNAs, DNA, and lipids across distances, influencing numerous physiological and pathological events, and they are involved in cellular communication, making EVs promising candidates as therapeutic agents, drug delivery systems, and disease biomarkers. In the context of eukaryotic pathogens, these EVs can be taken up by the parasite and the interacting mammalian cells, influencing parasite behavior (e.g., differentiation, infectivity) and host responses that affect pathogenesis. In this review, we discuss classical and new discoveries related to EVs produced by different cell types, including those involved in the interaction process of eukaryotic microorganisms with their respective hosts.
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