Cellular pathways influenced by exosomal cargo

Cellular pathways influenced by exosomal cargo refers to the complex network of intracellular signaling cascades—including the PI3K/Akt, Wnt/beta-catenin, and MAPK/ERK pathways—that are modulated by the horizontal transfer of bioactive molecules via exosomes (Kalluri & LeBleu, 2020, Science). Exosomes are 30-150 nm extracellular vesicles that carry a diverse payload of microRNAs, messenger RNAs, proteins, and lipids, which are protected from degradation and delivered to specific recipient cells to alter their physiological state (Zhang et al., 2019, Mol Cancer). In cancer, exosomal cargo is known to drive tumor progression, promote angiogenesis, and facilitate the formation of pre-metastatic niches by reprogramming stromal and immune cells (Wortzel et al., 2019, Dev Cell). Beyond oncology, these pathways play significant roles in the spread of neurotoxic proteins in neurodegenerative diseases and the regulation of inflammatory responses (Gurunathan et al., 2019, Cells). Because this term describes a broad biological mechanism rather than a discrete molecular entity like a receptor or enzyme, it is not classified as a traditional therapeutic target. However, the specific components of the cargo and the machinery involved in exosome biogenesis and uptake are being actively investigated as points of therapeutic intervention.

Other names

Exosome-mediated signalingExtracellular vesicle-mediated pathway modulationEV-mediated signal transductionExosomal cargo-induced signaling

Drugs targeting this process typically act by inhibiting exosome biogenesis (e.g., via neutral sphingomyelinase inhibition), blocking exosome release, or preventing uptake by recipient cells to halt the activation of downstream signaling pathways (Zhang et al., 2019, Mol Cancer).