Elsevier

Progress in Lipid Research

Volume 66, April 2017, Pages 30-41
Progress in Lipid Research

Review
Lipids in exosomes: Current knowledge and the way forward

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.plipres.2017.03.001Get rights and content
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open access

Abstract

Lipids are essential components of exosomal membranes, and it is well-known that specific lipids are enriched in exosomes compared to their parent cells. In this review we discuss current knowledge about the lipid composition of exosomes. We compare published data for different lipid classes in exosomes, and what is known about their lipid species, i.e. lipid molecules with different fatty acyl groups. Moreover, we elaborate on the hypothesis about hand-shaking between the very-long-chain sphingolipids in the outer leaflet and PS 18:0/18:1 in the inner leaflet, and we propose this to be an important mechanism in membrane biology, not only for exosomes. The similarity between the lipid composition of exosomes, HIV particles, and detergent resistant membranes, used as lipid rafts models, is also discussed. Furthermore, we summarize knowledge about the role of specific lipids and lipid metabolizing enzymes on the formation and release of exosomes. Finally, the use of exosomal lipids as biomarkers and how the lipid composition of exosomes may be of importance for researchers aiming to use exosomes as drug delivery vehicles is discussed. In conclusion, we have summarized what is presently known about lipids in exosomes and identified issues that should be taken into consideration in future studies.

Abbreviations

BMP
bismonoacyl glycerophosphate
CE
cholesteryl ester
CHOL
cholesterol
Cer
ceramide
DAG
diacylglycerol
DRM
detergent resistant membrane
FCS
fetal calf serum
Gb3
globotriaosylceramide
GLC
gas liquid chromatography
HexCer
hexosylceramide
HG
hexadecylglycerol
LacCer
lactosylceramide
LBPA
lysobisphosphatic acid
MVB
multivesicular body
MS
mass spectrometry
PA
phosphatidic acid
PC
phosphatidylcholine
PC O/P
PC ethers (alkyl or alkenyl)
PE
phosphatidylethanolamine
PE O/P
PE ethers (alkyl or alkenyl)
PG
phosphatidylglycerol
PLD2
phospholipase D2
PI
phosphatidylinositol
PS
phosphatidylserine
SM
sphingomyelin
SMase
sphingomyelinase
TAG
triacylglycerol
TLC
thin layer chromatography

Keywords

Extracellular vesicles
Lipid species
Rafts
Membrane bilayer
Exosome release
Biomarkers

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