By Dr. Adam Brockman, DC, ND | Member, NuvoCell Biologics Medical Advisory Board
Published:
Key Takeaways
- Extracellular vesicles are a broad category of particles that cells release naturally.
- Exosomes are generally considered the smallest EV subtype, though classification is still evolving.
- EVs carry proteins, lipids, and RNA that play a role in how cells communicate.
- MSC-derived EVs are among the most studied in current regenerative medicine research.
- Topical formulations containing EV-derived ingredients are being explored in research contexts.
- The field is still developing, and much of the research remains in early or preclinical stages.
What Are Extracellular Vesicles and Why Do Cells Release Them?
Every cell in your body is constantly sending and receiving information. One of the ways this happens is through the release of tiny particles called extracellular vesicles (EVs). These are small, membrane-bound structures that cells produce and release into surrounding fluids as part of normal biological activity.
EVs are not one single type of particle. They are a broad category that includes several subtypes, each with its own characteristics. Researchers generally recognize three main classes:
- Exosomes (approximately 30 to 150 nm) are among the smallest EVs, formed inside the cell before being released
- Microvesicles (roughly 100 to 1,000 nm) bud off directly from the outer surface of the cell membrane
- Apoptotic bodies (generally larger than 1,000 nm) are released as part of normal programmed cell death
What draws researchers to EVs is what they carry. They contain proteins, messenger RNA (mRNA), microRNA (miRNA), and lipids that reflect the biology of the cell that made them. This molecular cargo is central to how EVs are studied in intercellular communication, and it is a large part of why this field has attracted growing scientific interest.
What Are Exosomes and How Are They Different from Other EVs?
The word exosome gets used loosely in a lot of wellness and medical contexts, often as a synonym for EVs broadly. Scientifically, though, exosomes refer to a more specific subset of extracellular vesicles, distinguished primarily by their size and the way they are formed inside the cell.
Here is a simple breakdown of how they compare:
| Feature | Extracellular Vesicles (EVs) | Exosomes |
| Definition | Broad category of cell-released particles | Commonly described as a small EV subtype |
| Size Range | 30 nm to 10 micrometers and above | 30 to 150 nm |
| Origin | Various cellular processes | Multivesicular bodies (MVBs) |
| Cargo | Proteins, lipids, nucleic acids | miRNA, proteins, lipids |
| Role | Intercellular signaling, waste removal | Cell-to-cell signaling, under active study |
| Research Status | Broad scientific study | Most studied EV subtype |
It is worth noting that the classification of EV subtypes, including what exactly qualifies as an exosome, is still an active area of scientific discussion. Researchers continue to refine how these particles are defined and categorized as the tools for studying them become more precise. The table above reflects current general conventions, not a fully settled consensus.
How Do Extracellular Vesicles Fit Into Cell-to-Cell Communication?
One reason EVs have attracted so much scientific attention is their role in how cells share information with one another. Rather than relying solely on direct contact, cells can release EVs that travel through bodily fluids and interact with other cells at a distance.
This process generally involves three stages:
- Biogenesis: The cell packages proteins, RNA, and other molecules into a vesicle.
- Transport: The EV moves through blood, lymph, or interstitial fluid toward other cells.
- Uptake: A receiving cell internalizes the EV and processes the molecular signals inside.
Through this mechanism, EVs are thought to play a role in a range of biological processes related to cellular signaling and coordination. Researchers are still working to fully understand what those processes are and how they function in different biological contexts.
Why Are MSC-Derived Extracellular Vesicles Getting So Much Attention?
Within EV research, a significant amount of scientific focus has been directed toward vesicles derived from mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). MSCs are stromal cells found in bone marrow, fat tissue, and connective tissues such as the Wharton’s Jelly of the umbilical cord, among other sources.
MSC-derived EVs are studied for several reasons:
- MSCs have been studied for a range of signaling and regulatory properties that researchers continue to investigate
- Their derived EVs carry molecular cargo including growth factors, cytokines, and regulatory RNA
- They can be isolated and studied without working directly with living cells
- Wharton’s Jelly MSCs are a commonly studied source in current research
Scientists have explored MSC-derived EVs across a number of biological research areas. It is important to note that most studies in this space are still preclinical, and the field is continuing to develop. Findings are promising, but translating early research into established applications takes time and rigorous study.
How Is This Research Being Applied in Topical Wellness Formulations?
As interest in EV biology has grown, so has exploration of how EV-derived ingredients might be incorporated into wellness products. One area of development involves topical formulations that include bioactive molecules and extracellular vesicles as ingredients, rather than delivering them through injections or clinical procedures.
NuvoCell Biologics is among companies working in this space. Their formulations contain bioactive molecules and extracellular vesicles derived from Wharton’s Jelly Mesenchymal Stem Cells and are developed for physicians to use within professional wellness settings. NuvoCell positions its products as a non-invasive option designed to complement clinical treatments.
Topical formats like this are part of a broader conversation in the wellness industry about how ingredients informed by cell biology research might be made more accessible. As with all products in this category, they are intended to support general wellness and are not evaluated by the FDA for therapeutic use.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are exosomes and extracellular vesicles the same thing?
Not exactly. Exosomes are one category of extracellular vesicle, generally identified by their small size and how they are formed inside the cell. EVs is the broader term that includes exosomes along with other subtypes like microvesicles and apoptotic bodies. The two terms are frequently used interchangeably in consumer and marketing contexts, but they have distinct scientific meanings.
What is inside an extracellular vesicle?
EVs contain biological molecules that reflect the composition of the cell that produced them. This typically includes proteins, messenger RNA, microRNA, and lipids. Researchers study this molecular cargo to better understand how EVs participate in cell communication and biological signaling.
Why do researchers focus on MSC-derived EVs specifically?
Mesenchymal stem cells have a range of signaling properties that make their derived vesicles interesting to study. MSC-derived EVs carry a molecular profile associated with a number of biological processes that researchers are actively investigating. Most of this work is still in early stages.
What does a topical EV-based product actually contain?
Products in this category may contain bioactive molecules and extracellular vesicles derived from a defined cell source, such as Wharton’s Jelly MSCs. They are formulated for topical use and are intended as wellness products, not medical treatments. They are not evaluated by the FDA for therapeutic claims.
Disclaimer: These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. This post is for informational purposes only and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
