On the Interplay of Extracellular Vesicles and Viral Infections

Abstract

A broad definition of extracellular vesicles – lipid membrane enclosed vesicles of a given size range, produced by cells into the surrounding media and unable to replicate independently – does not only apply to exosomes or microvesicles produced by eukaryotic cells, outer membrane or outer-inner membrane vesicles produced by gram-negative bacteria and membrane vesicles produced by gram-positive bacteria (and archaea), but also extends to enveloped virus particles. They share biophysical and biochemical characteristics as well as functional properties, making it a challenge to distinguish between types of vesicles. In this review, we will briefly introduce different extracellular vesicles before concentrating on the relationship of viral particles to extracellular vesicles, taking practical issues into consideration as well as molecular interactions and the subsequent effects on infectivity and pathogenesis. Finally, we will briefly discuss potential applications of the relationship between extracellular vesicles and viral particles.