Cited by 10,770Extracellular vesicles in diseaseCellular transport and secretionNanoparticle-Based Drug Delivery

The biology , function , and biomedical applications of exosomes

Open access
Kalluri, Raghu, LeBleu, Valerie S.·2020·Science

Abstract

Clinical uses of cellular communication: Exosomes are a type of extracellular vesicle that contain constituents (protein, DNA, and RNA) of the cells that secrete them. They are taken up by distant cells, where they can affect cell function and behavior. Intercellular communication through exosomes seems to be involved in the pathogenesis of various disorders, including cancer, neurodegeneration, and inflammatory diseases. In a Review, Kalluri and LeBleu discuss the biogenesis and function of exosomes in disease, highlighting areas where more research is needed. They also discuss the potential clinical applications of exosome profiling for diagnostics and exosome-mediated delivery of therapeutics to target disease cells. Science , this issue p. eaau6977

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Integrity signals

Registry

Crossref · 10.1126/science.aau6977

Cites

243 of 243 references verified0 citation errors · 0 not checkable

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  • There are three major categories of EVs: exosomes, microvesicles, and apoptotic bodies, classified based on their biogenesis mechanism.

    “There are three major categories of EVs, namely exosomes, microvesicles, and apoptotic bodies, which are classified based on their biogenesis mechanism [39, 40].”

    From Extracellular vesicles as nanotheranostic platforms for targeted neurological disorder interventions (2024) · cites this paper as [40]

    The paper’s classification passage (page unavailable) says EVs generally fall into two major categories—ectosomes and exosomes—not the three named in the claim. It describes microvesicles as a type of ectosome and does not list apoptotic bodies as a third major category. (LLM, conf=0.90)

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  • EVs have been conventionally classified into three main categories: exosomes, microvesicles, and apoptotic bodies based on their biogenesis mechanism.

    “In many prior research into EVs, EVs have been conventionally classified into three main categories: exosomes, microvesicles, and apoptotic bodies based on their biogenesis mechanism [39, 40].”

    From Extracellular vesicles as nanotheranostic platforms for targeted neurological disorder interventions (2024) · cites this paper as [40]

    The classification passage (indexed under Abstract; page unavailable) says EVs generally fall into two major categories, ectosomes and exosomes, rather than the claimed three. It describes microvesicles as products of ectosome formation, not as a third category alongside apoptotic bodies. (LLM, conf=0.89)

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  • Among the key proteins found in sEVs are tetraspanins (CD63, CD9, and CD81), membrane trafficking proteins (RAB proteins and annexins), and proteins involved in MVBs formation (ALIX, TSG101, and clathrin).

    “Among the key proteins found in sEVs are tetraspanins (CD63, CD9, and CD81), membrane trafficking proteins (RAB proteins and annexins), and proteins involved in MVBs formation (ALIX, TSG101, and clathrin) [40].”

    From Extracellular vesicles as nanotheranostic platforms for targeted neurological disorder interventions (2024) · cites this paper as [40]

    The biogenesis of exosomes (page unavailable) names Rab, TSG101, ALIX, and tetraspanins as involved in exosome biogenesis; Immune responses and infection (page unavailable) identifies CD9 and CD81 on exosomes. Our copy does not identify CD63 or annexins in this list, and mentions clathrin in connection with exosome uptake rather than MVB formation. The review also cautions that isolated exosomes may be mixed with other EVs, so it does not establish the full protein list specifically for sEVs. (LLM, conf=0.87)

    Experimental — accuracy not yet measured
  • The enclosure of the molecular components in EVs is mainly mediated by the ESCRT-dependent and ESCRT-independent pathways.

    “The enclosure of the molecular components in EVs is mainly mediated by the Endosomal Sorting Complex Required for Transport (ESCRT)-dependent and ESCRT-independent pathways [40].”

    From Extracellular vesicles as nanotheranostic platforms for targeted neurological disorder interventions (2024) · cites this paper as [40]

    The biogenesis of exosomes section (page unavailable) identifies ESCRT proteins alongside other molecules involved in exosome formation. It does not establish that molecular enclosure is mainly mediated by two ESCRT-dependent and ESCRT-independent pathways, and its discussion concerns exosomes rather than all EVs. (LLM, conf=0.82)

    Experimental — accuracy not yet measured
  • Exosomes are endosomal-derived and are 10-150 nm in diameter.

    “Exosomes are, among them, endosomal-derived and are 10–150 nm in diameter [12,13].”

    From Ferroptosis-dependent extracellular vesicles from macrophage contribute to asbestos-induced mesothelial carcinogenesis through loading ferritin (2021) · cites this paper as [13]

    The review states that exosomes are of endosomal origin, supporting that part of the claim. However, its size range is approximately 40–160 nm, not 10–150 nm (opening section and “The biogenesis of exosomes”; no page numbers provided). (LLM, conf=0.89)

    Experimental — accuracy not yet measured

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Authors
Kalluri, R., & LeBleu, V. S.
Affiliations
The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center (US)
Corresponding author
Kalluri, Raghu
Venue
Science
Published
2020-02-07
Volume
367
Issue
6478
ISSN
  • 0036-8075 (ISSN-L)
  • 1095-9203
OpenAlex
W3005104290
Cited by
10,770
References
244
Citations by year
2026: 1781 · 2025: 2238 · 2024: 2222 · 2023: 1766 · 2022: 1430 · 2021: 996 · 2020: 328 · 2019: 1 · 2016: 1 · 2014: 1 · 2013: 1
FWCI
108.46
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Science (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed Central (acceptedVersion)
Funders
National Cancer Institute (CA213233, CA195733, CA231465)
Topics
  • Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Molecular Biology › Extracellular vesicles in disease
  • Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Cell Biology › Cellular transport and secretion
  • Physical Sciences › Materials Science › Biomaterials › Nanoparticle-Based Drug Delivery
Keywords
exosomes, extracellular vesicles, exosome biogenesis, endosomes, intercellular communication, biomarkers, liquid biopsy, exosome therapy, disease diagnosis
MeSH terms
Animals, Cardiovascular Diseases, Cell Communication, Humans, Infections, Metabolic Diseases, Neoplasms, Reproduction, Neurodegenerative Diseases, Exosomes

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