Critical Review of the Evolution of Extracellular Vesicles’ Knowledge: From 1946 to Today |
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| Authors: | Erica Bazzan Mariaenrica Tin Alvise Casara Davide Biondini Umberto Semenzato Elisabetta Cocconcelli Elisabetta Balestro Marco Damin Claudia Maria Radu Graziella Turato Simonetta Baraldo Paolo Simioni Paolo Spagnolo Marina Saetta Manuel G Cosio |
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| Affiliation: | 1.Department of Cardiac, Thoracic, Vascular Sciences and Public Health, University of Padova, 35128 Padova, Italy; (M.T.); (A.C.); (D.B.); (U.S.); (E.C.); (E.B.); (M.D.); (G.T.); (S.B.); (P.S.); (M.S.); (M.G.C.);2.Department of Women’s and Children’s Health, University of Padova, 35128 Padova, Italy;3.Department of Medicine, University of Padova, 35128 Padova, Italy;4.Meakins-Christie Laboratories, Respiratory Division, McGill University, Montreal, QC H3A 0G4, Canada |
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| Abstract: | Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are a family of particles/vesicles present in blood and body fluids, composed of phospholipid bilayers that carry a variety of molecules that can mediate cell communication, modulating crucial cell processes such as homeostasis, induction/dampening of inflammation, and promotion of repair. Their existence, initially suspected in 1946 and confirmed in 1967, spurred a sharp increase in the number of scientific publications. Paradoxically, the increasing interest for EV content and function progressively reduced the relevance for a precise nomenclature in classifying EVs, therefore leading to a confusing scientific production. The aim of this review was to analyze the evolution of the progress in the knowledge and definition of EVs over the years, with an overview of the methodologies used for the identification of the vesicles, their cell of origin, and the detection of their cargo. The MISEV 2018 guidelines for the proper recognition nomenclature and ways to study EVs are summarized. The review finishes with a “more questions than answers” chapter, in which some of the problems we still face to fully understand the EV function and potential as a diagnostic and therapeutic tool are analyzed. |
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| Keywords: | exosomes microvesicles multivesicular bodies liposomes |
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