Abstract

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.

Keywords

MicrovesiclesEndosomeSecretionCell biologyExosomeVesicleFunction (biology)CytosolImmune systemBiologyIntracellularMembraneImmunologyBiochemistrymicroRNA

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Publication Info

Year
2006
Type
review
Volume
140
Issue
1
Pages
13-21
Citations
910
Access
Closed

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Guillaume van Niel, Isabel Porto-Carreiro, Sabrina Simoes et al. (2006). Exosomes: A Common Pathway for a Specialized Function. The Journal of Biochemistry , 140 (1) , 13-21. https://doi.org/10.1093/jb/mvj128

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DOI
10.1093/jb/mvj128