Extracellular Vesicles: From Biomarkers to Therapeutic Tools

Dear Colleagues,

Intercellular communication is an essential hallmark of multicellular organisms and can be mediated through direct cell–cell contact or transfer of secreted molecules. In the last two decades, a third mechanism for intercellular communication has emerged that involves intercellular transfer of extracellular vesicles (EVs).

EVs are membranous vesicles of 30–5000 nm in size. Based on their dimension and biogenesis, EVs can be divided into different categories, such as microvesicles, apoptotic bodies, ectosomes, and exosomes. It has already been demonstrated that changing in protein, expressed on surfaces or content in these vesicles, may reflect the status of producing cells. For this reason, EVs, and exosomes in particular, are considered ideal biomarkers in several types of disease from cancer diagnosis to heart rejection. Furthermore, extracellular vesicles can be carriers of cytoprotective or cytotoxic factors and used as a therapeutic tool applied from regenerative medicine to target cancer therapy.

This Topical Collection focuses on recent findings pertaining to EV in different areas from biomarkers to therapeutic application. We warmly welcome experts to submit previously unpublished original scientific research with novel findings and reviews with a comprehensive overview of EVs.

Dr. Simona Bernardi
Dr. Carolina Balbi
Guest Editors

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