University of Cambridge, Metabolic Research Laboratories, Wellcome Trust-Medical Research Council Institute of Metabolic Science, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK.
Subcell Biochem. 2021;97:179-209. doi: 10.1007/978-3-030-67171-6_8.
Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are increasingly being recognised as players in intercellular communication within the human body. EVs are nano-sized vesicles that are secreted by virtually all cells, primarily arising from either the plasma membrane or the endocytic system. They contain a wide range of proteins and nucleic acids in their lumen, as well as cell surface proteins on their exterior. The proteins and nucleic acids within are the 'cargo' that EVs deliver into the cytosol of recipient cells to elicit a response or phenotypic change. For delivery to occur, the cargo needs to cross two lipid bilayers; one that makes up the vesicle itself, and the other of the recipient cell. Exactly how this process works is a topic that is poorly understood, despite being pivotal for their function. Furthermore, extracellular vesicles have therapeutic potential as drug delivery vehicles. Therefore, understanding their delivery mechanism and harnessing its action for drug delivery is of great importance. This chapter will focus on the proposed mechanisms for cargo delivery and discuss existing evidence for cargo delivery from EVs into the cytosol of recipient cells.
细胞外囊泡 (EVs) 越来越被认为是人体内细胞间通讯的参与者。EVs 是纳米大小的囊泡，几乎所有细胞都会分泌，主要来源于质膜或内吞系统。它们的腔室内含有广泛的蛋白质和核酸，以及其外表面的细胞表面蛋白。囊泡内的蛋白质和核酸是其递送到受体细胞胞质溶胶中引发反应或表型改变的“货物”。为了进行递 送，货物需要穿过两层脂质双层；一层构成囊泡本身，另一层构成受体细胞。尽管这对它们的功能至关重要，但这一过程的确切工作机制仍知之甚少。此外，细胞外囊泡具有作为药物递送载体的治疗潜力。因此，了解其递 送机制并利用其作用进行药物递 送非常重要。本章将重点介绍货物递 送的拟议机制，并讨论有关 EVs 将货物递送到受体细胞胞质溶胶中的现有证据。
