Extracellular Vesicles

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are small, membrane-bound structures that are released by cells into the extracellular environment. They can be found in various bodily fluids, such as blood, urine, and breast milk. EVs can be classified based in their size and origin, with the most common types being exosomes (30-100nm) and microvesicles (100-1000nm). Exosomes contain a variety of biomolecules, including proteins, lipids, and nucleic acids, which can be transferred to other cells. They are involved in intracellular communication and are thought to play a role in a wide range of physiological and pathological processes.
We are most interested in blood vessel derived EVs (endothelial), and their roles in cellular
homeostasis, metabolism and stress response.