Towards a systematic understanding of the diverse subtypes, biogenesis and functions of large extracellular vesicles.

Most large extracellular vesicles (lEVs) exceeding 200 nm originate from the plasma membrane and include diverse subtypes with distinct biogenesis pathways.

• Why it matters: Understanding the heterogeneity, biogenesis, and functions of lEVs is crucial for insights into their roles in physiology and disease, addressing gaps in current classification and mechanisms.
• What they did: The study reviews emerging findings on lEV classification, biogenesis, cargo, and functions, highlighting classical and newly identified subtypes, and discusses advanced technologies for their characterization.
• The result: These insights and tools are expected to improve the understanding of lEV diversity, biogenesis, and functions, facilitating more rigorous and reproducible research in the field.