Caenorhabditis elegans as a model for studying intercellular communication via extracellular vesicles.

Abstract

Intercellular communication embodies an evolutionarily conserved mechanism facilitated through the release of extracellular vesicles (EVs). These EVs, membranous structures secreted by cells, serve as carriers for a variety of biological molecules, including proteins, lipids, and nucleic acids, facilitating intercellular information exchange and material transfer. Studies in classical genetic model organisms represented by Caenorhabditis elegans revealed the developmental and behavioral roles of EVs. In this review, we discuss the effect of EV-mediated intercellular communication on neuronal activity and aging. Notably, we summarize the roles of EVs released from ciliary sensory neurons and a class of evolutionarily conserved large EVs known as exophers, shedding light on their contributions to the regulation of multicellular organismal development and function.