Blebbisomes are large, organelle-rich extracellular vesicles with cell-like properties

Cells secrete a large variety of extracellular vesicles (EVs) to engage in cell-to-cell and cell-to-environment intercellular communication. EVs are functionally involved in many physiological and pathological processes by interacting with cells that facilitate transfer of proteins, lipids and genetic information. However, our knowledge of EVs is incomplete. Here we show that cells actively release exceptionally large (up to 20 µm) membrane-enclosed vesicles that exhibit active blebbing behavior, and we, therefore, have termed them blebbisomes. Blebbisomes contain an array of cellular organelles that include functional mitochondria and multivesicular endosomes, yet lack a definable nucleus. We show that…

• AH
  American Heart Association

  Awards: 1070985, 836090
• NI
  National Institute on Aging

  Award: R56AG068026
• NH
  National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute

  Award: R01HL159487
• NI
  National Institute of General Medical Sciences

  Awards: R35GM125028, RM1GM145399
• DO
  Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics, National Cancer Institute

  Award: P50CA236733