Extracellular vesicles in mycobacteria: new findings in biogenesis, host-pathogen interactions, and diagnostics.

Since the discovery of extracellular vesicles (EVs) in mycobacterial species 15 years back, we have learned that this phenomenon is conserved in the genus and has critical roles in bacterial physiology and host-pathogen interactions. (), the tuberculosis (TB) causative agent, produces EVs both and including a diverse set of biomolecules with demonstrated immunomodulatory effects. Moreover, EVs (MEVs) have been shown to possess vaccine properties and carry biomarkers with diagnostic capacity. Although information on MEV biogenesis relative to other bacterial species is scarce, recent studies have shed light on how MEVs originate and are released to the extracellular space. In this minireview, we discuss past and new information about the vesiculogenesis phenomenon in , including biogenesis, MEV cargo, aspects in the context of host-pathogen interactions, and applications that could help to develop effective tools to tackle the disease.