Fig. 2
From: DNA in extracellular vesicles: from evolution to its current application in health and disease
The putative origin of EV-DNA. The exact mechanisms of EV-DNA packaging remain obscure. 1 In micronucleated cells, EV-DNA loading may occur in the cytoplasm via the endosomal tetraspanins like CD63. 2 cfDNA released by dead cells could also be a source of EV-DNA by sticking on the surface of released EVs. Upon uptake, EV-DNA induces the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines through the so-called cGAS/STING pathway. Figure generated in Biorender