FIGURE 1.

The biogenesis, cargos, and uptake of EVs. During EV biogenesis, early endosomes are formed after the inward budding of the plasma membranes and mature into late endosomes and MVBs containing ILVs. Exosomes are released by the fusion of MVBs and plasma membranes. Microvesicles are secreted through the direct outward budding of plasma membranes. EVs are rich in various cargos, such as proteins, nucleic acids, metabolites, and lipids. Recipient cells uptake EVs from donor cells through several mechanisms including ligand-receptor interaction, endocytosis, and direct fusion.