Biological Characteristics of Exosomes and Their Applications in Aquatic Organisms

Exosomes originate from multivesicular bodies formed by the invagination of intracellular lysosomal particles and constitute endogenous extracellular vesicles. When the microenvironment of an organism undergoes changes, exosomes sort different proteins, lipids, and nucleic acids. This selective packaging allows them to target and localize in recipient cells, thereby influencing or modulating cellular behavior. In aquatic organisms, exosomes play a crucial role as mediators of cellular communication, participating in vital processes such as immune regulation and growth and development. This paper aims to review the biogenesis and contents of exosomes, introduces commonly employed methods for their separation and identification, and discusses recent applications of exosomes in aquatic organisms and therefore provides a valuable reference for further research on exosomes within this group of organisms.