Table 1 Subtypes of extracellular vesicles

Exosomes

 Exo-S

50–70 nm

ESCRT complex proteins, CD9, CD63, CD81

Exo-S mainly contains proteins that associated with endosomes, multivesicular bodies, exosomes, and phagocytic vesicles. EXO-S is most likely a classical exosome

[9]

 Exo-L

90–120 nm

Exo-L contains proteins that associated with composition of plasma membrane, cell–cell contacts or junctions, late endosomes, and trans-Golgi network. Exo-L may represent non-classical exosomes or extracellular vesicles from different subcellular origins

Microvesicles (Ectosomes)

100 –1000 nm

Annexin A1, ARF6

Outward budding of the plasma membrane, scission/pinching off from membrane protrusions

[6]

Apoptotic bodies

1000—5000 nm

Phosphatidylserine

Released from apoptotic cells upon activation of apoptosis- related transduction pathways

[5]

Exomere

 < 50 nm

Unknow

The biogenesis of exomeres may involve subcellular organelles or activities related to cellular metabolism, including organelles such as the endoplasmic reticulum and Golgi apparatus, as well as metabolic pathways within the cell

[9]

Supermeres

Unknown

Unknown

Unknown

[10]

Exophers

1,000–10,000 nm

Phosphatidylserine, LC3, Tom20

Unknown

[3]

Retroviral- like particles

Not determined

Gag- like proteins (Arc1, Arc2)

Unknown

[4]