Multiple recipient-cell pathways

Multiple recipient-cell pathways is a descriptive term used to characterize the broad spectrum of intracellular signaling cascades and physiological processes activated or suppressed in a cell upon receiving external biological cargo, such as that found in extracellular vesicles (EVs) (Tkach & Théry, 2016, Cell). This concept is frequently encountered in the study of exosomes, which deliver a complex mixture of proteins, lipids, and nucleic acids that concurrently modulate various pathways including PI3K/Akt, MAPK/ERK, and Wnt signaling (Kalluri & LeBleu, 2020, Science). Because it represents a collective cellular response rather than a discrete molecular entity, it does not function as a traditional therapeutic target (Yáñez-Mó et al., 2015, Journal of Extracellular Vesicles). Instead, it serves as a framework for understanding the pleiotropic effects of biologics and the systemic impact of cell-to-cell communication in diseases like cancer and chronic inflammation. Consequently, drug development efforts focusing on these pathways typically target specific nodes within the network rather than the collective 'pathways' as a single unit.

Other names

Recipient cell signaling cascadesIntracellular signaling networksDownstream signaling pathways

Not applicable; this term refers to a collection of biological processes rather than a single molecular drug target.