Journal de la nanomédecine et de la découverte biothérapeutique
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Exosomes: Nanoscale Packages Contain the Health-state of the Cells that Secrete them

James K Gimzewski

How cells communicate over large or small distances has only recently become known (Figure 1). The body uses nanometer-sized exosomes, also called Extracellular vesicles [EVs], to facilitate cell communication and send signals to distant cells throughout the body. Mounting evidence indicates that programmed/triggered secretion and targeted migration of exosomes to distant cells is a fundamental aspect of cell biology that is ubiquitous in diseased and normal cells. Exosome transport occurs through extracellular body fluids including blood, cerebrospinal fluid, saliva, milk, and urine. Characterizing this fascinating class of nanovesicles offers exciting and unique insights into how intercellular biomolecular machinery remotely orchestrates physiological and pathological events at a distance. They have been described as a cellular FedEx system. Furthermore, it is being increasingly suggested that diseases such as cancer, Alzheimer’s disease, and AIDS can propagate throughout the body by hijacking exosomes and disguising themselves like wolves in sheep’s clothing to sneak into healthy cells. Thus, EVs are intriguing for cell biology research, their importance in various diseases, and as models for a new class of pharmaceuticals.