Understanding Exosomes: Key Players in Cell Communication and Biomarker Discovery

Exosomes are nanometer-sized (60-180 nm) membrane vesicles secreted by various cell types both in vivo and in vitro. They originate from the inward budding of multivesicular bodies (MVBs) and are released into the microenvironment when MVBs fuse with the plasma membrane. Acting as extracellular nanoshuttles, exosomes carry signals and play a role in tissue remodeling through their cargo of RNA, proteins, and lipids.

 Biological Roles

Exosomes are involved in critical biological processes, including cancer progression, inflammation, immune responses, central nervous system functions, and cardiac cell activities. They are found in bodily fluids such as blood, urine, amniotic fluid, and breast milk, containing distinct subsets of microRNAs and proteins depending on their cell type of origin, which makes them valuable for biomarker discovery.

Current Research

Current research focuses on exosomes for their role in fundamental biological processes as well as their potential as biomarkers and engineered delivery systems for therapeutics. They are being studied for their ability to serve as targeted delivery vehicles for medications, which could revolutionize treatment strategies for various diseases.

Tools and Services

To support this research, a comprehensive range of tools for exosome isolation, detection, quantification, and engineering is offered, along with kits and services for biomarker discovery through techniques such as next-generation sequencing, mass spectrometry, and lipidomics.

For more detailed information, you can explore resources from specialized platforms or scientific journals that focus on exosome research and applications.