Intercellular communication has been known for decades to involve either direct contact
between cells or to operate via circulating molecules, such as cytokines, growth factors, or
lipid mediators. During the last decade, we have begun to appreciate the increasing
importance of intercellular communication mediated by extracellular vesicles released by
viable cells either from plasma membrane shedding (microvesicles, also named
microparticles) or from an intracellular compartment (exosomes). Exosomes and …