FIGURE 1.

The biological process of exosome biogenesis and release. The biogenesis of exosomes begins with endosomes formed by plasma membrane endocytosis, and then early endosomes mature into multivesicular bodies (MVB). Exosomes are formed as intraluminal vesicles (ILV) in MVB through endosome‐sorting complexes required for transport (ESCRT)‐dependent or ‐independent pathways. MVB can be degraded by fusing with lysosomes or fused with the plasma membrane, leading to the secretion of ILV (exosomes). Target cells can take up exosomes through endocytosis, fusion with plasma membrane or ligand/receptor interaction. Cells can package different substances (including lncRNAs) into exosomes through ESCRT‐dependent manner and ESCRT‐independent manner