Table 1.
Comparison of large dense-core vesicle (LDCV) and exosomea.
| LDCV | Exosomea | |
|---|---|---|
| Size (diameter) | 100–300 nm | 40–100 nm |
| Biogenesis/formation | Golgi complex | Multivesicular bodies, endosome |
| Agonaute2 and RNA-induced silencing complex | No (24) | Yes (48) |
| Copy number of miRNA | ~500 (miR-375) (24) | <1 |
| Size distribution of RNA | Peak at ~22 nt (24) | Broad distribution, 25–4,000 nt (49) |
| Dominant RNA | ~60% miRNA (24) | mRNA, miRNA is minor (<1–30% (49–52)) |
| Contents | Catecholamines, hormones, peptide, ATP, miRNA | Proteins, DNA, RNA, lipid (42, 53–55) |
| miRNA release mechanism | Neuronal SNARE (VAMP-2, syntaxin-1A, SNAP-25A) (56) | Ceramide-dependent, ESCRT-independent (37, 38) |
aExosome composition is so heterogeneous that the RNA profile and content of exosomes varies depending on cell types, references; i.e., serum, plasma, or cell culture medium, developmental stages, etc.