Extracellular vesicles are important mediators of protein, mRNA, miRNA, and lipid transport to complete intercellular communication pathways and are classified into three categories based on their size and biogenesis, including exosomes, microvesicles, and apoptotic vesicles. Among them, exosomes are packed vesicles of approximately 40-100 nm in diameter, secreted by a variety of cells containing specific proteins, lipids, cytokines, or genetic material, which are widely found in various body fluids, including blood, saliva, urine, cerebrospinal fluid, semen, breast milk, amniotic fluid, ascites, vaginal/alveolar lavage fluid, etc.

Exosomes are involved in many biological functions, including immune regulation, where B-lymphocytes secrete exosomes with antigen-presenting proteins to induce immune responses in T-lymphocytes. It contributes to the formation as well as the development of some diseases, such as neurodegenerative Alzheimer's disease, and facilitates viral infection and transmission, such as HIV, which utilizes exosomes to find the most suitable cells for infection and transmission. Exosomes are directly involved in the development and progression of cancer. By carrying oncogenic factors like proto-oncoproteins and RNAs that cause cancer in recipient cells, exosomes can induce metastasis and spread of cancer cells. At the same time, it can inhibit the activity of immune cells (cause immune apoptosis) so that cancer cells can escape from the immune system.

In conclusion, research on exosomes can provide new ideas and therapies for the treatment of certain diseases. TargetMol has collected 76 exosome-related compounds for customers engaged in exosome research to help you with your research.