Regulatory T cell-derived exosome

Regulatory T cell-derived exosomes are a type of extracellular vesicle, specifically exosomes (50–100 nm), secreted by regulatory T cells (Tregs) during immune responses[2]. These vesicles carry bioactive cargos such as proteins (e.g., CD73, CTLA-4), lipids, mRNAs, and microRNAs, enabling them to modulate the function of recipient immune cells. They can suppress effector T cell proliferation and cytokine production, contribute to immune tolerance (e.g., in transplantation), and may be involved in maintaining immune homeostasis or mediating immunosuppression in pathological conditions such as cancer and chronic inflammation[2][3]. The suppressive function of these exosomes involves surface enzymes like CD73 and the transfer of specific microRNAs, which downregulate immune activation in target cells. Regulatory T cell-derived exosomes are being investigated as possible therapeutic and diagnostic tools, but they are not a classical "drug target" such as a receptor, enzyme, or transporter—they are cell-derived products that exert multi-factorial regulatory effects[2][3][1].

Other names

Regulatory T cell exosomeTreg-derived exosomeTreg exosome