title: [Characterization and biological role of extracellular vesicles].
abstract: Extracellular vesicles (EV) form a heterogeneous population of mostly spherical membrane structures released by almost all cells, including tumour cells, both in vivo and in vitro. Their size varies from 30 nm to 1 μm, and size is one of the main criteria of the selection of two categories of EV: small (30-100 nm), more homogeneous exosomes and larger fragments (0.1-1 μm) called membrane microvesicles or ectosomes. The presence of EV has already been detected in many human body fluids: blood, urine, saliva, semen and amniotic fluid. Formation of EV is tightly controlled, and their function and biochemical composition depend on the cell type they originate from. EV are the "vehicles" of bioactive molecules, such as proteins, mRNA and microRNA, and may play an important role in intercellular communication and modulation of e.g. immune system cell activity. In addition, on the surface of tumour-derived microvesicles (TMV), called oncosomes, several markers specific for cancer cells were identified, which indicates a role of TMV in tumour growth and cancer development. On the other hand, TMV may be an important source of tumour-associated antigens (TAA) which can be potentially useful as biomarkers with prognostic value, as well as in development of new forms of targeted immunotherapy of cancer.
authors.affiliation: Zakład Immunologii Klinicznej, Polsko-Amerykański Instytut Pediatrii, Uniwersytet Jagielloński Collegium Medicum w Krakowie.
authors.forename: Aneta
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Wójtowicz
authors.affiliation: Zakład Immunologii Klinicznej, Polsko-Amerykański Instytut Pediatrii, Uniwersytet Jagielloński Collegium Medicum w Krakowie.
authors.forename: Monika
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Baj-Krzyworzeka
authors.affiliation: Zakład Immunologii Klinicznej, Polsko-Amerykański Instytut Pediatrii, Uniwersytet Jagielloński Collegium Medicum w Krakowie.
authors.forename: Jarosław
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Baran
mesh_terms: D000653:Amniotic Fluid / Q000166:cytology; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000032:analysis* / Q000378:metabolism*; D001773:Blood Cells / Q000166:cytology; D001826:Body Fluids / Q000166:cytology; D055252:Cell-Derived Microparticles / Q000145:classification / Q000378:metabolism*; D055354:Exosomes / Q000378:metabolism; D005110:Extracellular Space / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D007167:Immunotherapy / Q000379:methods; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000737:chemistry / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy; D012463:Saliva / Q000166:cytology; D012661:Semen / Q000166:cytology; D022161:Transport Vesicles / Q000378:metabolism*; D014556:Urine / Q000166:cytology
chemical_list: D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor