Understanding Exosomes

What Are Exosomes

Exosomes are extracellular vesicles (EVs) with a diameter of approximately 30–150 nanometers (nm), released into the extracellular matrix after the fusion of multivesicular bodies (MVBs) with the cell membrane. Briefly, exosomes are small vesicles containing complex molecules such as deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA), messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA), micro ribonucleic acid (miRNA), heat shock proteins (HSP90 and HSP70), and various proteins, serving as serve as carriers for signaling molecules. They facilitate the transmission of proteins, lipids, mRNA, miRNAs, and DNA and disease progression, and they participate in signal transduction for physiological and pathological progression. The composition and function of exosomes are determined by the type of cells that secrete them, reflecting the individual's physiological and pathological state as well as the influence of the cellular microenvironment.