Exosomes: a common pathway for a specialized function.
Exosomes are membrane vesicles that are released by cells upon fusion of multivesicular bodies with the plasma membrane. Their molecular composition reflects their origin in endosomes as intraluminal vesicles. In addition to a common set of membrane and cytosolic molecules, exosomes harbor unique subsets of proteins linked to cell type-associated functions. Exosome secretion participates in the eradication of obsolete proteins but several findings, essentially in the immune system, indicate that exosomes constitute a potential mode of intercellular communication. Release of exosomes by tumor cells and their implication in the propagation of unconventional pathogens such as prions suggests their participation in pathological situations. These findings open up new therapeutic and diagnostic strategies.
van Niel
Guillaume
G
Institut Curie, CNRS-UMR144, 75248 Paris cedex, France.
Porto-Carreiro
Isabel
I
Simoes
Sabrina
S
Raposo
Graça
G
D000938:Antigen-Presenting Cells / Q000502:physiology; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000032:analysis; D002450:Cell Communication / Q000502:physiology; D002471:Cell Transformation, Neoplastic; D022162:Cytoplasmic Vesicles / Q000737:chemistry / Q000502:physiology* / Q000821:virology; D004847:Epithelial Cells / Q000502:physiology; D005089:Exocytosis / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D018621:PrPC Proteins / Q000502:physiology; D021381:Protein Transport / Q000502:physiology; D012156:Reticulocytes / Q000502:physiology
D015415:Biomarkers; D018621:PrPC Proteins