Immune system via paracrine factors and extracellular vesicles

The immune system utilizes paracrine factors and extracellular vesicles (EVs) as primary modes of intercellular communication to coordinate complex physiological responses (Nature Reviews Immunology, 2014). Paracrine signaling involves the release of soluble mediators, such as cytokines and chemokines, which act on nearby cells to regulate inflammation, recruitment, and activation (NIH, 2023). Extracellular vesicles, including exosomes and microvesicles, represent a more complex communication system, transporting proteins, lipids, and nucleic acids that can alter the functional state of recipient cells (Journal of Extracellular Vesicles, 2020). These pathways are essential for maintaining immune homeostasis and mounting effective responses against pathogens. However, they are frequently dysregulated in diseases like cancer, where tumor-derived EVs can induce immunosuppression or promote metastasis (Nature Reviews Cancer, 2020). Because this term describes a broad biological process rather than a specific molecular entity, it is categorized as an incorrect target for drug discovery purposes, though it encompasses many individual druggable components.

Other names

Paracrine signalingExtracellular vesicle-mediated communicationExosome-mediated immune modulationSecretome-mediated signalingIntercellular communication

Intercellular communication via the secretion of soluble signaling molecules (paracrine factors) and the release of membrane-enclosed vesicles (extracellular vesicles) that transport bioactive cargo, including proteins and nucleic acids, to recipient cells to modulate their function.