Figure 1.

Biogenesis of exosomes and microvesicles: a schematic representation of endosome formation by internalizing the extracellular substances by invagination and pinching of the plasma membrane via endocytosis. These endosomes are transformed to multivesicular bodies (MVBs) by taking up a variety of cytosolic contents (proteins, nucleic acids, and various metabolites) via inward budding of late endosomes. Later, these MVBs may fuse with the plasma membrane at certain points to release the internal vesicles named as “exosomes.” In contrast, microvesicles are formed due to outward protrusion/blebbing of the plasma membrane. A diverse array of cargos is packed into these protrusions which pinched off the parent cell giving rise to microvesicles.