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Exosomes: intriguing mediators of intercellular communication in the organism’s response to noxious agents Cover

Exosomes: intriguing mediators of intercellular communication in the organism’s response to noxious agents

Open Access
|Dec 2024

Abstract

Exosomes are small extracellular vesicles that range from 30 to 150 nm in size and are formed through cellular endocytosis. They consist of proteins, lipids, and nucleic acids at varying ratios and quantities. The composition and spatiotemporal dynamics of exosomes suggest that they play a crucial role in intercellular communication. The information conveyed by exosomes significantly impacts the regulation of health and disease states in the organism. The term “noxious” refers to all harmful environmental agents and conditions that can disrupt the physiological equilibrium and induce pathological states, regardless whether of radiological, biological, or chemical origin. This review comprehensively examines the presence of such noxious agents within the organism in relation to exosome formation and function. Furthermore, it explores the cause-effect relationship between noxious agents and exosomes, aiming to restore physiological homeostasis and prepare the organism for defence against harmful agents. Regardless of the specific bioinformatic content associated with each noxious agent, synthesis of data on the interactions between various types of noxious agents and exosomes reveals that an organized defence against these agents is unachievable without the support of exosomes. Consequently, exosomes are identified as the primary communication and information system within an organism, with their content being pivotal in maintaining the health-disease balance.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/aiht-2024-75-3923 | Journal eISSN: 1848-6312 | Journal ISSN: 0004-1254
Language: English, Croatian, Slovenian
Page range: 228 - 239
Submitted on: Nov 1, 2024
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Accepted on: Dec 1, 2024
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Published on: Dec 29, 2024
In partnership with: Paradigm Publishing Services
Publication frequency: 4 issues per year

© 2024 Ante Vučemilović, published by Institute for Medical Research and Occupational Health
This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 3.0 License.