Figure 1.

Biological function of extracellular vesicles (EVs). EVs have emerged as critical mediators in physiological processes, as well as diverse pathophysiological events. EVs is an newly identified way of maintaining cellular homeostasis by exporting harmful contents from the parent cell. Meanwhile, active molecules including DAMPs, cytokines and miRNAs are packaged into EVs that can regulate the biological behaviour of recipient cells such as proliferation and migration, or contribute to immune regulation. Besides, EVs from stem/progenitor or normal healthy cell may contain functional cargoes that are important for tissue regeneration and repair