Table 1 Types of extracellular vesicles

Exosomes

30–150 nm

CD63, CD9, CD81, Tsg101

Generated by inward budding of the membrane of MVBs through ESCRT-dependent

Or/and ESCRT-independent and released into the ECM

upon fusion of MVBs with the plasma membrane

Exomeres

 < 50 nm

Unknown

Unknown

Microvesicles or ectosomes

100–1000 nm

ARF6, Annexin A1

pinching off from membrane

protrusions/the plasma membrane shedding

Apoptotic bodies

50–5000 nm

Phosphatidylserine

Generated from apoptotic cells following stimulation of apoptosis-related pathways