Dual Role of MSC-Derived Exosomes in Tumor Development

Figure 1

Exosome biogenesis and secretion. Cell membrane inward budding leads to the formation of early endosomes, and these transform into multivesicular bodies (MVBs) with a dynamic subcellular structure. MVBs can be fused with lysosomes or the plasma membrane and secreted exosomes. Finally, exosomes release cargo such as DNA, microRNA, and proteins to cancer cells through (a) direct fusion with recipient cell plasma, (b) surface protein binding, or (c) endocytosis.