Exosome-mediated molecular signaling

Exosome-mediated molecular signaling" refers to a biological process and not a single molecular target. Exosomes are nano-sized extracellular vesicles released from various cell types, containing cargoes such as proteins, RNAs (including miRNAs and siRNAs), lipids, and metabolites. These vesicles mediate intercellular communication by (1) binding with membrane receptors, (2) fusing with the plasma membrane to deliver their contents, or (3) being endocytosed and releasing their cargo into recipient cells, altering their phenotype and gene expression[1][2][3][4][5][6]. Exosome-mediated molecular signaling regulates numerous physiological and pathological functions, such as immune modulation, proliferation, apoptosis, tissue repair, and metabolic reprogramming, especially in cancer and ischemia-reperfusion injury[1][2][4][5]. While exosome pathways have been investigated as therapeutic vectors for drug or RNA delivery, "exosome-mediated signaling" is a mechanism or pathway and does not represent a druggable receptor, enzyme, or protein. Therefore, it cannot be considered a canonical therapeutic target per usual nomenclature[1][2][4].

Other names

Exosome signalingExosome-mediated cell communicationExosome-mediated signaling pathway