Exosomal Marker

Exosomes are membrane-wrapped extracellular vesicles (EVs) with a diameter of approximately 40-160 nm, possessing a lipid bilayer structure. They are naturally present in blood, urine, cerebrospinal fluid, and the supernatant of cultured cells in vitro, and almost all types of cells can produce and release exosomes.

The cell membrane undergoes endocytosis sequentially to form early sorting endosomes (ESE), late sorting endosomes (LSE), and multivesicular bodies (MVB). MVB contains intraluminal vesicles (ILVs). When MVB fuses with the cell membrane, exosomes are released, carrying various components from their parent cells—including nucleic acids, proteins, lipids, carbohydrates, and metabolites—into the extracellular matrix.

Exosomes can be recognized and fused by nearby or distant cells, serving as important mediators for intercellular mutual regulation. They are involved in the pathogenesis of various diseases such as cancer, neurodegenerative disorders, and inflammatory diseases, and affect multiple aspects of cellular function.

Exosome system