Figures & data
Figure 1. EV structure and biogenesis. (A) Exosome image cryo-electron microscopy image of a seminal plasma EV isolated by the differential ultracentrifuge. (B) Exosome biogenesis. Proteins released from the trans-Golgi network and RNA molecules destined to the plasma membrane shed as microvesicles. Exosomes originate from Multivesicular bodies (MVBs). Endosomes mature into MVBs and intravaginal budding results in the formation of intraluminal vesicles (ILVs). In some cases, MVB fuse into the plasma membrane and release ILVs to the extracellular region as exosomes. (C) Exosome structure. Exosomes have protein and RNA that play a critical role in intercellular communication. Tetraspanins (CD9, CD63, CD81, CD82) and Heat-shock proteins (HSP70, HSP90) are distinct proteins commonly used for exosome characterization. Signaling proteins (EGFR, PI3K, HIF-1α, β- Catenin) and MVB proteins are sourced from inward budding of ILVs. Exosomes also have some proteins (MHC I) and lipids (cholesterol, sphingolipids, ceramides) from cellular membrane and RNA cargo (mRNA and miRNA) which function as a post-transcriptional alteration in gene expression
