Blebbisomes: isolation, characterization, and functional role of organelle-rich giant vesicles

Abstract

Cells secrete a diverse array of extracellular vesicles (EVs) to mediate intercellular communication, profoundly influencing both physiological and pathological processes through the transfer of proteins, lipids, and genetic material. Among these, blebbisomes have recently emerged as a novel, large (up to 20 µm), organelle-rich EV subtype, distinguished by their dynamic membrane blebbing and active release from cells. Blebbisomes harbor a spectrum of intact organelles, including functional mitochondria and multivesicular endosomes, yet notably lack a nucleus. Their enrichment with immune checkpoint proteins in cancer underscores a potential role in immune regulation and tumor progression, positioning them at the forefront of research into disease mechanisms. The unique structural and functional attributes of blebbisomes highlight their potential significance as a crucial way of communication and promising targets for therapeutic innovation. This review synthesizes current advances in isolation, characterization, and functional understanding of blebbisomes, illuminating their emerging roles in health and disease.

Keywords

Blebbisome / Extracellular vesicles / Organelle carrying EV / Large EV / Cell Biology

Declarations

Not applicable.

CRediT authorship contribution statement

Abhimanyu Thakur: Writing - review & editing, Writing - original draft, Visualization, Project administration, Methodology, Investigation, Formal analysis, Conceptualization.

Ethics approval and consent to participate

Not applicable.

Consent for publication

Abhimanyu Thakur has read and agreed to the published version of the manuscript and give their consent for publication in this journal.

Availability of data and materials

Not applicable.

Funding

Not applicable.

Declaration of Competing Interest

The author declare no competing interests.

Acknowledgement

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Authors' other information

Not applicable.

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