Universidade Nova de Lisboa. Instituto de Tecnologia Química e Biológica
Abstract
Dissertation presented to obtain the Ph.D. degree in BiologyExosomes are small membrane vesicles that are secreted by
several cell types including tumour cells. They are formed intracellularly by
an inward budding of the membrane of endosomal compartments which are
converted to multivesicular bodies. Exosomes are then released into the
extracellular environment after fusion of the multivesicular bodies with the
plasma membrane. Upon internalization by other cells they may transfer
proteins and RNA among cells. Tumour-derived exosomes can promote
angiogenesis, cell proliferation, tumour cell invasion and immune evasion.
These vesicles have been found in biological fluids such as malignant
ascites and blood and can therefore be used not only to identify potential
biomarkers of disease but also in vaccination.(...)Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia (FCT) and Fundo Social Europeu (FSE)
for financial support (SFRH/BD/30622/2006)