Progress on extracellular vesicles in the nervous system.

Abstract

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are membrane-bound particles released by cells into the extracellular microenvironment. In the nervous system, EVs serve as critical mediators of biomolecule trafficking and intercellular communication. These vesicles are deeply involved in orchestrating physiological homeostasis and pathological cascades, while demonstrating significant potential for therapeutic and diagnostic applications. In this review, we systematically summarize the functional heterogeneity and research advances in neuron- and glial cell-derived EVs, aiming to provide a theoretical basis for understanding the diverse roles of EVs in the nervous system.