Many proteins have been characterized to interact with cellular and subcellular membranes. These lipid-protein interactions determine membrane shape and protein conformation, thus precisely regulating the activation and localization of molecular complexes at specific cellular and subcellular membranes. These signaling pathways play vital roles in various cellular processes such as the formation of endocytic and extracellular vesicles. Importantly, the formation of endocytic vesicles and extracellular vesicles is accompanied by dynamic membrane remodeling. In particular, extracellular vesicles have recently been found to play roles in many vital physiological functions including cell-to-cell communication, immune response, and cancer metastasis. Furthermore, endocytic and extra-cellular vesicles are involved in many diseases such as cancer, Alzheimer’s disease, and Parkinson’s disease. Thus, endocytic and extracellular vesicles can be used to develop potential biomarkers and drug design.
Extracellular vesicles are identified as nano- to micro-meter-sized vesicles that contain signaling molecules such as proteins and nucleic acids (mRNA, miRNA, and DNA); however, there is a lack of commonly used accurate techniques to isolate and to purify extracellular vesicles, to identify their exact size and morphology, and to distinguish between exosomes, microvesicles (MVs), and apoptotic bodies. For example, specific extracellular vesicle markers need to be developed. Furthermore, the mechanisms of extracellular vesicle secretion processes and their cellular uptake need to be clarified. The cellular uptake of extracellular vesicles is thought to be mediated by membrane fusion and various types of endocytosis (e.g., receptor-, raft-mediated endocytosis, micropinocytosis, and phagocytosis), thus understanding endocytic pathways is also essential.
For advancements in this field, we need to develop new techniques (e.g., proteomics and imaging) as well as to understand molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying endocytic and extracellular vesicles. Thus, this Research Topic aims to present recent advances in the field of endocytic and extra-cellular vesicles from various perspectives. These studies will shed light on the molecular and physiological functions of endocytic and extracellular vesicles, providing new insights into their specific roles and mechanisms.
The current Research Topic aims to cover studies in the field of endocytosis and extracellular vesicles. Areas covered here include, but are not limited to:
• Molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying endocytic and extracellular vesicles.
• Physiological relevancies of endocytic and extracellular vesicles in the pathogenesis of various diseases.
• Application of endocytic and extracellular vesicles in biomarker development and drug de-sign.
• Development of new quantitative and qualitative techniques to advance our understanding of endocytic and extracellular vesicles.
• Development of advanced proteomics and imaging techniques to identify the molecular basis of endocytic and extracellular vesicles.
Original research articles and reviews are welcome. Articles in the advancement of methodologies to identify, isolate, and image endocytic and extracellular vesicles are also welcome.
Many proteins have been characterized to interact with cellular and subcellular membranes. These lipid-protein interactions determine membrane shape and protein conformation, thus precisely regulating the activation and localization of molecular complexes at specific cellular and subcellular membranes. These signaling pathways play vital roles in various cellular processes such as the formation of endocytic and extracellular vesicles. Importantly, the formation of endocytic vesicles and extracellular vesicles is accompanied by dynamic membrane remodeling. In particular, extracellular vesicles have recently been found to play roles in many vital physiological functions including cell-to-cell communication, immune response, and cancer metastasis. Furthermore, endocytic and extra-cellular vesicles are involved in many diseases such as cancer, Alzheimer’s disease, and Parkinson’s disease. Thus, endocytic and extracellular vesicles can be used to develop potential biomarkers and drug design.
Extracellular vesicles are identified as nano- to micro-meter-sized vesicles that contain signaling molecules such as proteins and nucleic acids (mRNA, miRNA, and DNA); however, there is a lack of commonly used accurate techniques to isolate and to purify extracellular vesicles, to identify their exact size and morphology, and to distinguish between exosomes, microvesicles (MVs), and apoptotic bodies. For example, specific extracellular vesicle markers need to be developed. Furthermore, the mechanisms of extracellular vesicle secretion processes and their cellular uptake need to be clarified. The cellular uptake of extracellular vesicles is thought to be mediated by membrane fusion and various types of endocytosis (e.g., receptor-, raft-mediated endocytosis, micropinocytosis, and phagocytosis), thus understanding endocytic pathways is also essential.
For advancements in this field, we need to develop new techniques (e.g., proteomics and imaging) as well as to understand molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying endocytic and extracellular vesicles. Thus, this Research Topic aims to present recent advances in the field of endocytic and extra-cellular vesicles from various perspectives. These studies will shed light on the molecular and physiological functions of endocytic and extracellular vesicles, providing new insights into their specific roles and mechanisms.
The current Research Topic aims to cover studies in the field of endocytosis and extracellular vesicles. Areas covered here include, but are not limited to:
• Molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying endocytic and extracellular vesicles.
• Physiological relevancies of endocytic and extracellular vesicles in the pathogenesis of various diseases.
• Application of endocytic and extracellular vesicles in biomarker development and drug de-sign.
• Development of new quantitative and qualitative techniques to advance our understanding of endocytic and extracellular vesicles.
• Development of advanced proteomics and imaging techniques to identify the molecular basis of endocytic and extracellular vesicles.
Original research articles and reviews are welcome. Articles in the advancement of methodologies to identify, isolate, and image endocytic and extracellular vesicles are also welcome.