Table 1.
Comparison between extracellular vesicles
| Types | Exosomes | Microvesicles | Apoptotic bodies | References |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Origin | Endocytic pathway | Plasma membrane | Plasma membrane | [1, 9] |
| Size | 30–150 nm | 50–1000 nm | 500–2000 nm | |
| Function | Intercellular communication | Intercellular communication | Facilitate phagocytosis | |
| Markers | Alix, Tsg101, tetraspanins (CD81, CD63, CD9), flotillin | Integrins, selectins, CD40 | Annexin V, phosphatidylserine | |
| Contents | Proteins and nucleic acids (mRNA, miRNA, and other non-coding RNAs) | Proteins and nucleic acids (mRNA, miRNA, and other non-coding RNAs) | Nuclear fractions, cell organelles |