Q&A: What are exosomes, exactly?
Exosomes are extracellular vesicles first described as such 30 years ago and since implicated in cell-cell communication and the transmission of disease states, and explored as a means of drug discovery. Yet fundamental questions about their biology remain unanswered. Here I explore what exosomes are, highlight the difficulties in studying them and explain the current definition and some of the outstanding issues in exosome biology.
Cambridge Institute for Medical Research, University of Cambridge, Hills Road, Cambridge, CB2 0XY, UK. je333@cam.ac.uk.
James R
JR
Edgar
D000818:Animals; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000378:metabolism; D004194:Disease; D055354:Exosomes / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D006801:Humans; D008954:Models, Biological
D015415:Biomarkers