Extracellular Vesicle Dynamics in Intercellular Communication

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) comprise a heterogeneous population of nanoscale, membrane-bound particles—including exosomes and microvesicles—secreted by virtually all cell types. Generated either through the endosomal pathway or by direct budding from the plasma membrane, EVs encapsulate proteins, lipids, nucleic acids and metabolites that reflect the physiological state of their cell of origin. Upon release into the extracellular environment, EVs are transported through bodily fluids to interact with recipient cells via surface receptor engagement, membrane fusion or endocytic uptake. This bidirectional exchange influences diverse processes such as immune modulation, tissue repair, stem cell maintenance and the remodelling of the tumour microenvironment. Recent work has highlighted the dynamic regulation of EV biogenesis by cellular stress, pH and metabolic cues, as well as the selective loading of cargo that determines target specificity. Advances in high-resolution characterisation and isolation technologies have begun to unravel the spatiotemporal kinetics of EV release and uptake in vivo. Clinically, EVs are being pursued both as minimally invasive biomarkers for early disease detection and as engineered vehicles for targeted drug and gene delivery. Collectively, studies of EV dynamics are reshaping our understanding of intercellular communication and opening new avenues for diagnostics and therapeutics across a spectrum of disorders.

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Extracellular Vesicle Dynamics in Intercellular Communication publication trend

The graph below shows the total number of articles in extracellular vesicle dynamics in intercellular communication across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).

Technical terms

Extracellular vesicles (EVs): Nano-sized, membrane-enclosed particles released by cells that transport molecular cargo between cells.

Exosomes: EVs of endosomal origin, typically 30–150 nm in diameter, formed by fusion of multivesicular bodies with the plasma membrane.

Microvesicles: EVs ranging from 100 nm to 1 μm, generated by outward budding of the plasma membrane.

Tumour microenvironment (TME): The complex milieu of non-malignant cells, extracellular matrix and signalling factors surrounding a tumour.

Liquid biopsy: A non-invasive diagnostic approach that analyses circulating biomarkers, such as EVs, in body fluids.

Biomarkers: Measurable molecular indicators of biological or pathological processes, or responses to therapeutic interventions.

MicroRNA (miRNA): Short, non-coding RNA molecules that regulate gene expression post-transcriptionally and can be shuttled via EVs.

References

1. Overview of Extracellular Vesicles, Their Origin, Composition, Purpose, and Methods for Exosome Isolation and Analysis. Cells (2019).
2. Minimal information for studies of extracellular vesicles 2018 (MISEV2018): a position statement of the International Society for Extracellular Vesicles and update of the MISEV2014 guidelines. Journal of Extracellular Vesicles (2018).
3. Recent advances of small extracellular vesicle biomarkers in breast cancer diagnosis and prognosis. Molecular Cancer (2023).
4. Extracellular vesicles as tools and targets in therapy for diseases. Signal Transduction and Targeted Therapy (2024).
5. Microenvironmental pH Is a Key Factor for Exosome Traffic in Tumor Cells*. Journal of Biological Chemistry (2009).