Transfusion-related immune modulation: functional consequence of extracellular vesicles?

Abstract

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are small, subcellular vesicles that are released from a variety of cells and play important roles in cell-to-cell communication. Transfused blood products, including red blood cell, platelet, and plasma products contain EVs that are capable of interacting with and altering immune cell function. The extent to which EVs may contribute to clinically meaningful immunomodulatory effects of transfusion remains unclear and deserving of further study.