Exosome function in aerodigestive mucosa

This review focuses specifically on current knowledge regarding the function of exosomes derived from aerodigestive mucosal membranes. Aerodigestive secretions including saliva, nasal, and bronchoalveolar mucus have been shown to contain large numbers of exosomes that are thought to be involved in cellular metabolic function as well as the innate and adaptive immune response. Secreted exosomes derived from donor cells are able to transfer functional mRNA, microRNA, and proteins between cells via mucociliary transport. When fusing with the recipient cell, exosomes not only unload their cargo into the cytoplasm but also transfer functional proteins including transmembrane pumps and receptors into the cell membrane of the recipient cell.164