Protein glycosylation of exosomes from ovarian carcinoma cells: structures and biological roles

Dissertation presented to obtain the Ph.D. degree in Biology

Exosomes are small membrane vesicles that are secreted by several cell types including tumour cells. They are formed intracellularly by an inward budding of the membrane of endosomal compartments which are converted to multivesicular bodies. Exosomes are then released into the extracellular environment after fusion of the multivesicular bodies with the plasma membrane. Upon internalization by other cells they may transfer proteins and RNA among cells. Tumour-derived exosomes can promote angiogenesis, cell proliferation, tumour cell invasion and immune evasion. These vesicles have been found in biological fluids such as malignant ascites and blood and can therefore be used not only to identify potential biomarkers of disease but also in vaccination.(...)

Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia (FCT) and Fundo Social Europeu (FSE) for financial support (SFRH/BD/30622/2006).