[Exosomes and Immune Cells]

Gan To Kagaku Ryoho. 2017 May;44(5):373-377.
[Article in Japanese]

Abstract

In addition to the cytokines and cytotoxic granules, exosomes have been known as the intercellular communicator and cytotoxic missile of immune cells for the past decade. It has been well known that mature dendritic cell(DC)-derived exosomes participate in the T cell and natural killer(NK)cell activation, while immature DCs secrete tolerogenic exosomes for regulatory T(Treg)cell generation. Treg cell-derived EVs act as a suppressor against pathogenic type-1 T helper(Th1)cell responses. CD8+ T cells produce tumoricidal exosomes for preventing tumor invasion and metastasis transiently after T cell receptor(TCR)-mediated stimulation. Thus, immune cells produce functional exosomes in the activation state- and/or differentiation stage-dependent manner. In this review, the role of immune cell-derived exosomes will be introduced, focusing mainly on immune reaction against tumor.

MeSH terms

  • Dendritic Cells / immunology*
  • Exosomes*
  • Humans
  • Killer Cells, Natural / immunology*
  • Neoplasms / immunology
  • T-Lymphocytes / immunology*