Lack of involvement of CD63 and CD9 tetraspanins in the extracellular vesicle content delivery process

Commun Biol. 2023 May 17;6(1):532. doi: 10.1038/s42003-023-04911-1.

Abstract

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are thought to mediate intercellular communication by transferring cargoes from donor to acceptor cells. The EV content-delivery process within acceptor cells is still poorly characterized and debated. CD63 and CD9, members of the tetraspanin family, are highly enriched within EV membranes and are respectively enriched within multivesicular bodies/endosomes and at the plasma membrane of the cells. CD63 and CD9 have been suspected to regulate the EV uptake and delivery process. Here we used two independent assays and different cell models (HeLa, MDA-MB-231 and HEK293T cells) to assess the putative role of CD63 and CD9 in the EV delivery process that includes uptake and cargo delivery. Our results suggest that neither CD63, nor CD9 are required for this function.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Cell Communication
  • Endosomes / metabolism
  • Extracellular Vesicles* / metabolism
  • HEK293 Cells
  • Humans
  • Tetraspanin 29 / metabolism
  • Tetraspanin 30 / metabolism
  • Tetraspanins* / metabolism

Substances

  • CD63 protein, human
  • CD9 protein, human
  • Tetraspanin 29
  • Tetraspanin 30
  • Tetraspanins