The field of extracellular vesicles (EVs) has progressed immensely in recent times with evidences highlighting their importance in physiology and pathology. This book entails extensive reflective literature on many subtypes of EVs including exosomes, exomeres, ectosomes, apoptotic vesicles, bacterial EVs and fungal EVs.

The book further discusses the biogenesis and secretion of these EVs, detailing the biological pathways and proteins involved. Research investigating the biological functions of EVs is rapidly increasing and the current knowledge around their role in progression of diseases such as cancer, neurodegeneration and metabolic disorders is discussed in multiple chapters. The implications of EVs in intercellular communication and the significance of biologically active cargo carried within these EVs are further examined. Moreover, the numerous applications of EVs in diagnostics and treatment of diseases are reviewed in detail, particularly their potential as biomarkers and drug delivery vehicles. 

Taken together, this book is a compilation of the key implications of EVs that are secreted by virtually all cell types. Readers will gain a perspective into the biology, functions and applications of EVs and their constantly evolving knowledge base.

Part 1: Subtypes, Biogenesis, and Secretion of Extracellular Vesicles

Chapter 1: Introduction to the community of extracellular vesicles
Chapter 2: Biogenesis of extracellular vesicles
Chapter 3: The role of post-translational modifications in targeting protein cargo to extracellular vesicles
Chapter 4: Apoptotic bodies: Mechanism of formation, isolation and functional relevance
Chapter 5: Exomeres: A new member of extracellular vesicles family
Part 2: Functional Role and Clinical Implications of Extracellular Vesicles
Chapter 6: Bacterial membrane vesicles mediate pathogenesis in the human host
Chapter 7: Fungal Extracellular Vesicles in Pathophysiology
Chapter 8: Socially distanced intercellular communication: mechanisms for extracellular vesicle cargo delivery
Chapter 9: Extracellular Vesicles In Chemoresistance
Chapter 10: Extracellular vesicle - mediated vascular pathology in glioblastoma
Chapter 11: Extracellular vesicles regulate cancer metastasis
Chapter 12: Extracellular Vesicle-Mediated Bone Remodeling And Bone Metastasis: Implications In Prostate Cancer
Chapter 13: Extracellular vesicles contain putative cancer biomarkers
Chapter 14: Engineering extracellular vesicles for cancer therapy
Chapter 15: Extracellular vesicles in metabolism and metabolic diseases
Chapter 16: Extracellular vesicles in neurological disorders
Chapter 17: Emerging Roles of Extracellular Vesicles derived Non-Coding RNAs in the Cardiovascular System
Chapter 18: Extracellular vesicles and Preeclampsia - Current knowledge and future research directions
Chapter 19: The role of extracellular vesicles in sperm function and male fertility
Chapter 20: Extracellular Vesicles and Cerebral Malaria
Chapter 21: Are dietary extracellular vesicles bioavailable and functional in consuming organisms?.