Migrasome: a new functional extracellular vesicle

Abstract

Migrasome is a novel cellular organelle produced during cell migration, and its biogenesis depends on the migration process. It is generated in a variety of cells such as immune cells, metastatic tumor cells, other special functional cells like podocytes and cells in developing organisms. It plays important roles in various fields especially in the information exchange between cells. The discovery of migrasome, as an important supplement to the extracellular vesicle system, provides new mechanisms and targets for comprehending various biological or pathological processes. In this article, we will review the discovery, structure, distribution, detection, biogenesis, and removal of migrasomes and mainly focus on summarizing its biological functions in cell-to-cell communication, homeostatic maintenance, embryonic development and multiple diseases. This review also creates prospects for the possible research directions and clinical applications of migrasomes in the future.

Expression of brain-derived neurotrophic factor and formation of migrasome increases in the glioma cells induced by the adipokinetic hormone

“…In the cancer cells, production of migrasomes is significantly higher compared to normal cells, which increases their migration ability. Migrasome production depends on cell migration, and migrasome-mediated intercellular information transmission is extremely special because it only exists in migrating cells 16 . The regulation and functions of migrasome formation is not well understood 17 .…”

Leukemogenesis occurs in a microenvironment enriched by extracellular microvesicles/exosomes: recent discoveries and questions to be answered

“…With time, other types of ExVs with different biological functions, such as “trash disposal vesicles” eliminating unwanted materials in the form of apoptotic bodies during the apoptotic death of cells, have also been described [ 22 ]. There are also identified larger oncosomes and migrasomoes involved in creating metastatic niches for cancer cells and pathfinding migrating cells through the environment [ 23 ]. These latter play an essential role in the metastasis of solid cancer cells.…”

Lipidic Nanoparticles, Extracellular Vesicles and Hybrid Platforms as Advanced Medicinal Products: Future Therapeutic Prospects for Neurodegenerative Diseases

“…While the functional role of migrasomes is still under active investigation, emerging evidence suggests their involvement in cell migration, potentially by leaving tracks for other cells to follow or by serving as signaling entities during collective cell migration. Their size varies between 500 and 3000 nm and their travel range is limited, in contrast with other EVs such as exosomes [63,64]. The considerable overlap of some characteristics of the different types of EVs makes it difficult to separate them by classic biochemical procedures.…”