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Extracellular vesicles in disease
Research Guide
What is Extracellular vesicles in disease?
Extracellular vesicles in disease refer to membrane-bound structures such as exosomes and microvesicles released by cells that mediate intercellular communication by transferring proteins, lipids, mRNAs, and microRNAs, with roles in pathological processes including cancer and other disorders.
Over 74,917 papers address extracellular vesicles in disease, focusing on their biogenesis, microRNA transfer, cancer implications, therapeutic potential, biomarker identification, isolation techniques, and drug delivery using exosomes. Valadi et al. (2007) demonstrated exosome-mediated transfer of mRNAs and microRNAs as a novel mechanism of genetic exchange between cells, with 12,545 citations. Théry et al. (2018) updated guidelines in 'Minimal information for studies of extracellular vesicles 2018 (MISEV2018)' to standardize EV research, cited 10,573 times.
Topic Hierarchy
Research Sub-Topics
Exosome Biogenesis
Exosome biogenesis covers the intracellular formation of intraluminal vesicles within multivesicular bodies destined for secretion. Researchers investigate endosomal sorting complexes, ESCRT machinery, and regulatory pathways influencing vesicle production.
Exosome Isolation Techniques
Exosome isolation techniques include ultracentrifugation, size-exclusion chromatography, and immunoaffinity capture from biofluids. Researchers compare purification purity, yield, scalability, and standardization per MISEV guidelines.
Exosomes as Biomarkers
Exosomes as biomarkers leverage their cargo of proteins, lipids, and nucleic acids for non-invasive disease detection. Researchers profile contents via proteomics and miRNA sequencing for cancer, neurodegeneration, and cardiovascular diagnostics.
Exosomes in Cancer
Exosomes in cancer mediate tumor progression via intercellular transfer of oncogenic cargo, immune modulation, and metastasis support. Researchers study their roles in tumor microenvironment communication, drug resistance, and pre-metastatic niche formation.
Exosome-Mediated Drug Delivery
Exosome-mediated drug delivery exploits their biocompatibility and crossing of biological barriers for targeted payload transport. Researchers engineer loading methods, surface modifications, and in vivo tracking for therapeutics.
Why It Matters
Extracellular vesicles serve as biomarkers for disease detection and vehicles for drug delivery in cancer therapy. Kalluri and LeBleu (2020) in 'The biology, function, and biomedical applications of exosomes' outlined exosomes' uptake by distant cells to influence function, supporting their use in intercellular communication for clinical applications such as targeted therapy. Théry et al. (2006) detailed isolation protocols from biological fluids in 'Isolation and Characterization of Exosomes from Cell Culture Supernatants and Biological Fluids,' enabling biomarker studies, while Raposo and Stoorvogel (2013) in 'Extracellular vesicles: Exosomes, microvesicles, and friends' described their role in transferring bioactive molecules implicated in disease progression.
Reading Guide
Where to Start
'Extracellular vesicles: Exosomes, microvesicles, and friends' by Raposo and Stoorvogel (2013) introduces core concepts of EV types, origins, and communication roles, serving as an accessible entry with 7,836 citations.
Key Papers Explained
Valadi et al. (2007) in 'Exosome-mediated transfer of mRNAs and microRNAs is a novel mechanism of genetic exchange between cells' established RNA transfer fundamentals, cited 12,545 times. Théry et al. (2018) in 'Minimal information for studies of extracellular vesicles 2018 (MISEV2018)' built standardization on this (10,573 citations). Kalluri and LeBleu (2020) in 'The biology, function, and biomedical applications of exosomes' extended to disease applications (9,532 citations), while van Niel et al. (2018) in 'Shedding light on the cell biology of extracellular vesicles' and Colombo et al. (2014) in 'Biogenesis, Secretion, and Intercellular Interactions of Exosomes and Other Extracellular Vesicles' detailed biogenesis mechanisms.
Paper Timeline
Most-cited paper highlighted in red. Papers ordered chronologically.
Advanced Directions
Research follows MISEV2018 standards by Théry et al. (2018) for rigorous EV characterization. Emphasis remains on biogenesis from Colombo et al. (2014) and applications from Kalluri and LeBleu (2020), with no recent preprints altering core trajectories.
Papers at a Glance
Frequently Asked Questions
What are extracellular vesicles?
Extracellular vesicles are membrane structures including exosomes from endosomal origin and microvesicles from plasma membrane budding. Raposo and Stoorvogel (2013) in 'Extracellular vesicles: Exosomes, microvesicles, and friends' define them as vehicles for transferring bioactive molecules between cells. They participate in physiological and pathological intercellular communication.
How are exosomes formed?
Exosomes form by inward budding within multivesicular bodies that fuse with the plasma membrane. Théry et al. (2006) in 'Isolation and Characterization of Exosomes from Cell Culture Supernatants and Biological Fluids' describe this process from endosomes. Colombo et al. (2014) in 'Biogenesis, Secretion, and Intercellular Interactions of Exosomes and Other Extracellular Vesicles' detail their secretion and interactions.
What is the role of extracellular vesicles in cancer?
Extracellular vesicles transfer genetic material influencing tumor progression and metastasis. Valadi et al. (2007) showed exosome-mediated mRNA and microRNA transfer between cells, a mechanism relevant to cancer. Kalluri and LeBleu (2020) highlighted exosomes' biomedical applications in cancer therapy.
How are extracellular vesicles isolated?
Isolation involves differential ultracentrifugation from cell culture supernatants or biological fluids. Théry et al. (2006) provided protocols in 'Isolation and Characterization of Exosomes from Cell Culture Supernatants and Biological Fluids.' Standardization follows MISEV2018 guidelines by Théry et al. (2018).
What are MISEV guidelines?
MISEV2018 provides minimal information standards for extracellular vesicle studies. Théry et al. (2018) in 'Minimal information for studies of extracellular vesicles 2018 (MISEV2018)' updated prior guidelines to cover EV subtypes and reporting. It addresses physiological and pathological functions.
What contents do extracellular vesicles carry?
They contain proteins, lipids, DNA, mRNAs, and microRNAs from originating cells. Kalluri and LeBleu (2020) in 'The biology, function, and biomedical applications of exosomes' list these constituents. Valadi et al. (2007) confirmed functional transfer of mRNAs and microRNAs.
Open Research Questions
- ? How do specific cargo sorting mechanisms into extracellular vesicles differ across disease states like cancer?
- ? What are the precise molecular interactions enabling extracellular vesicle fusion with recipient cell membranes in pathological conditions?
- ? How can extracellular vesicle heterogeneity be resolved to identify disease-specific subtypes?
- ? What long-term effects do extracellular vesicle-transferred microRNAs have on gene expression in recipient cells during disease progression?
- ? How do extracellular vesicles from different cell types contribute to intercellular communication networks in complex diseases?
Recent Trends
The field encompasses 74,917 works on extracellular vesicles in disease, with sustained focus on biogenesis, cancer biomarkers, and drug delivery per topic description.
Kalluri and LeBleu in 'The biology, function, and biomedical applications of exosomes' reflects ongoing therapeutic interest, accumulating 9,532 citations.
2020Standardization via Théry et al. MISEV2018 guidelines continues to shape studies, with 10,573 citations.
2018Research Extracellular vesicles in disease with AI
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