Multiple downstream cellular pathways via exosome-mediated cargo delivery

Multiple downstream cellular pathways via exosome-mediated cargo delivery refers to a complex biological process rather than a single molecular target. Exosomes are a subset of extracellular vesicles (EVs), typically 30–150 nm in diameter, that serve as natural vehicles for the horizontal transfer of bioactive molecules, including proteins, lipids, and various RNA species (PubMed: 26776081). This mechanism facilitates sophisticated intercellular communication, allowing donor cells to simultaneously influence multiple signaling pathways in recipient cells, which is a critical factor in tumor microenvironment remodeling and immune evasion (Nature Reviews Cancer: 10.1038/nrc.2017.125). In therapeutic development, this process is harnessed as a delivery platform where exosomes are engineered to carry specific drugs or genetic material to achieve targeted therapeutic effects with potentially lower toxicity than synthetic nanoparticles (Journal of Extracellular Vesicles: 10.1080/20013078.2020.1794954). Because this entry describes a multi-component transport system and its broad physiological consequences, it is classified as a mechanism of action or therapeutic strategy rather than a discrete protein receptor or enzyme.

Other names

Exosome-mediated signalingExtracellular vesicle-mediated cargo deliveryEV-mediated pathway modulationExosomal delivery system

Delivery of therapeutic payloads (such as nucleic acids, proteins, or small molecules) via engineered extracellular vesicles to modulate specific intracellular signaling cascades in target cells.