fig1

Figure 1. Schematic representation of the biogenesis of EVs. (A) EXOs derive from the endosomal pathway, in which, after a process of membrane invagination, an ESE is formed (1). After maturation, it becomes an LSE (2), which subsequently leads to the formation of an MVB with ILVs or future EXOs inside (3). These MVBs have three possible destinations: fusion with the plasma membrane, releasing the EXOs to the extracellular medium (4); fusion with autophagosomes (5); or fusion with lysosomes (6). MVs derive from the evagination of the plasma membrane (7); (B) Apoptotic bodies are released during the apoptotic process of cells. Figure created with Biorender.