Figure 1.

Schematic representation of the mechanisms involved in EV biogenesis and release. Microvesicles are shed into the extracellular space by direct budding of the plasma membrane. Apoptotic bodies are released by membrane blebbing of apoptotic cells upon cell disintegration. Exosomes are small EVs derived from the endocytic pathway that are released into the extracellular milieu by the fusion of the MVBs with the plasma membrane. During their formation MVBs can either release their content into the extracellular space through exocytosis or alternatively fuse with lysosomes leading to vesicle degradation.