Figure 2. The isolation, secretion and modification of EVs.

(a) EVs can either be isolated directly from bodily fluids or indirectly from in vitro cultured cells. As part of normal exocytosis, cells will shed microvesicles from the cytoplasmic membrane, and release exosomes from multivesicular bodies. (b) Cell manipulation can indirectly lead to modified exosomes and microvesicles, alternatively, the EVs themselves can be directly functionalized or loaded.