Table 3.

Characterization of the extracellular-vesicle-mediated volume transmission from the various cell types of the CNS.

cell type	type of EVs	transfer compounds, acceptor cells, function
neurons	exosomes and microvesicles	Hsp, Flottilin, miRNA, GluR2; nerve cells; synaptic and extrasynaptic exocytosis leading to neuronal plasticity
astrocytes	exosomes and microvesicles	mitochondria, ATP, Hsp70, synapsin1, functional glutamate transporters, FGF-2, VEGF, matrix metallo-proteinases, microRNA-29; astrocytes and neurons; potential role in repair and neurodegeneration
oligodendrocytes	exosomes	myelin proteins (e.g. PLP, CNP), mRNA miRNA, glycolytic enzymes, tetraspanins, Hsp; neurons, especially axons, oligodendroglia (autocrine role), MHC class II microglia (degradation); trophic support of axons via internalization of oligodendrocyte exosomes
microglia	exosomes and microvesicles	externalized phosphatidylserine (high levels), interleukin-1beta, caspase-1, P2X7 receptor, aminopeptidase N, MHC class II, monocarboxylate transporter 1; recipient microglia, neurons; enhanced inflammation and neurotransmission
endothelial cells	endothelial microparticles	shedding from plasma membrane (less than 1 µm in diameter); phosphatidyl overexpression, adhesion molecules specific for mature endothelial cells; in circulation, interacting especially with monocytes; role in stroke and CNS inflammation