Exosome-mediated delivery of microRNAs by root-knot nematodes

PLoS Pathogens 2026 Open access

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Authors: M. Willow H. Maxwell, Alex Papp, Bharat Rohilla, Caitlin Simpson, Martin Fuller, Suruchi Roychoudhry, Chris Bell
DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1013908
Cited by: 2
References: 26

Abstract

Plant-parasitic nematodes secrete molecules to manipulate their hosts, but little is known about their mode of delivery and packaging. Here, we describe microRNA-containing exosomes that are secreted by root-knot nematodes and systemically increase host susceptibility. By revealing a novel mode of nematode-plant communication, our findings outline a mechanism for the delivery of nematode patho-molecules, offering a new target for disrupting parasitism at the level of vesicle-mediated delivery.

Fields of Study & Subjects

Nematode management and characterization studies Plant Parasitism and Resistance Extracellular vesicles in disease

Publication details

Journal / source
PLoS Pathogens
Publisher
Public Library of Science (PLoS)
Volume
22
Issue
2
Pages
e1013908–e1013908
Publication date
9 February 2026
Language
EN