The Molecular Cargo of Extracellular Vesicles: A Key to Understanding Their Biological Role
A special issue of Metabolites (ISSN 2218-1989). This special issue belongs to the section "Cell Metabolism".
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 August 2025 | Viewed by 189
Special Issue Editors
Interests: proteomics; extracellular vesicles; oxidative stress; metabolomics
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Interests: extracellular vesicles; lipidomics; phospholipid metabolism; cell signaling
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
It is well established that extracellular vesicles (EVs) play a pivotal role in intercellular communication across all kingdoms of life. These membrane-enclosed nanovesicles, actively secreted by cells, transport bioactive molecules including proteins, lipids, metabolites, and nucleic acids, in a protected and functional form, to nearby or distant recipient cells.
The unique molecular cargo of EVs, which mirrors the metabolic and physio-pathological status of the originating cells, acts as a signal in modulating the state and functions of recipient cells.
Proteins in EVs contribute to their diverse functions, including modulation of immune responses, enzymatic activities, and receptor-mediated targeting. Lipids forming the phospholipid bilayer of EVs determine their membrane fluidity, curvature, and fusion events, which are crucial steps in EV formation and stability and in the interaction with recipient cells. Metabolites serve as functional effectors in metabolic reprogramming, immune regulation, and stress responses induced by EVs in target cells. Coding and non-coding nucleic acids play crucial roles in protein expression and its regulation and in the horizontal transfer of genetic information.
The dynamic and cell-dependent composition of EVs is crucial not only for defining their role in cell communication and physio-pathological processes but also for their use as therapeutic and diagnostic tools.
The aim of this Special Issue is to provide insights on the molecular profiles of EVs derived from various sources and released under different experimental/pathological/physiological conditions. Papers addressing the mechanisms and physiological or pathological significance of EV cargo in cellular cross-talk are particularly encouraged, as well as studies linking the cargo of EVs to their potential use as diagnostic biomarkers or therapeutic tools. Original research articles, methods papers, and reviews on these topics are welcome.
Dr. Elisabetta Chiaradia
Dr. Sandra Buratta
Guest Editors
Manuscript Submission Information
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Keywords
- extracellular vesicles (EVs)
- intercellular communication
- molecular cargo
- proteins in EVs
- lipids in EVs
- metabolites in EVs
- nucleic acids in EVs
- horizontal gene transfer
- bioactive molecules in EVs
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