Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are small membrane-bound structures that are secreted by cells. They contain a variety of proteins, lipids, and nucleic acids that can be transferred to other cells, where they can influence a variety of cellular processes. In recent years, there has been growing interest in the role of EVs in cell-to-cell communication. However, the mechanisms by which EVs are able to deliver their cargo to specific cells and the physiological roles of EV-mediated communication are still poorly understood.

A new study published in the journal Nature Cell Biology provides important insights into these processes. The study, led by researchers at the University of California, San Francisco, describes a new technique for isolating and characterizing EVs from different cell types. This technique allows the researchers to identify the proteins that are specifically associated with EVs and to determine how these proteins are involved in EV-mediated communication.

The researchers used their new technique to study the role of EVs in the immune system. They found that EVs secreted by immune cells can transfer proteins that are involved in immune responses to other cells. These proteins can then activate immune responses in the recipient cells. The researchers also found that EVs can be used to deliver therapeutic drugs to specific cells in the body. This suggests that EVs could be used to develop new treatments for a variety of diseases.

The new technique developed by the researchers at UCSF is a powerful tool for studying EV-mediated communication. It will allow researchers to gain a better understanding of the mechanisms by which EVs deliver their cargo to specific cells and the physiological roles of EV-mediated communication. This information could lead to the development of new treatments for a variety of diseases.

Source:

"Extracellular vesicles: A new frontier in cell-to-cell communication." Nature Cell Biology 19, no. 1 (2017): 1.