Cellular pathways modulated via exosomal cargo

Cellular pathways modulated via exosomal cargo represent a sophisticated mode of intercellular communication where exosomes—small extracellular vesicles (30–150 nm)—transfer bioactive molecules to recipient cells. These vesicles carry a diverse array of cargo, including microRNAs (miRNAs), messenger RNAs (mRNAs), proteins, and lipids, which are protected from extracellular degradation by a lipid bilayer [PMID: 23443682]. Upon internalization via endocytosis or direct membrane fusion, the exosomal cargo can trigger or inhibit specific intracellular signaling cascades such as the PI3K/Akt, Wnt/β-catenin, and MAPK pathways [PMID: 30111560]. In the context of oncology, tumor-derived exosomes are known to modulate pathways that promote epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), angiogenesis, and the formation of the pre-metastatic niche [PMID: 26040764]. Furthermore, exosomal cargo can mediate immune evasion by delivering inhibitory signals to T-cells or polarizing macrophages toward a pro-tumorigenic phenotype [PMID: 28533410]. Therapeutically, this mechanism is being exploited for the development of bioengineered exosomes as targeted drug delivery systems, while inhibitors of exosome biogenesis, such as GW4869, are being researched to halt the progression of exosome-mediated pathologies [PMID: 29346733].

Other names

Exosome-mediated signalingExtracellular vesicle-mediated communicationExosomal cargo deliveryEV-mediated pathway modulation

Horizontal transfer of bioactive molecules (miRNAs, proteins, lipids) that modulate signaling pathways and gene expression in recipient cells [PMID: 23443682].