Polarized cells display asymmetric release of extracellular vesicles

Extracellular vesicles (EVs), a broad term for the lipid microparticles known as microvesicles and exosomes, are discharged by cells into their surrounding space. Microvesicles upon outward plasma membrane budding, while exosomes secreted after multivesicular body (MVB) fusion with membrane. The majority of information regarding EV biology comes from studies performed in non-polarized cells. Here we characterize release polarized We found substantial asymmetry number composition EVs produced released apical epithelial compared to basolateral showed that quantitative difference is related distribution two phosphoinositide species between cell surfaces peculiar biochemical resultant reflects site origin. In particular, may derive distinct classes MVBs originating fusing same identify VAMP8/Endobrevin regulator whereas mechanism responsible requires further study.