Cholesterol Deficiency Directs Autophagy-Dependent Secretion of Extracellular Vesicles.

ABSTRACT: Extracellular vesicle (EV) secretion is an important, though not fully understood, intercellular communication process. Lipid metabolism has been shown to regulate EV activity, though the impact of specific lipid classes is unclear. Through analysis of small EVs (sEVs), we observe aberrant increases in sEV release within genetic models of cholesterol biosynthesis disorders, where cellular cholesterol is diminished. Inhibition of cholesterol synthesis at multiple synthetic steps mimics genetic models in terms of cholesterol reduction and sEVs secreted. Further analyses of sEVs from cholesterol-depleted cells revealed structural deficits and altered surface marker expression, though these sEVs were also more easily internalized by recipient cells. Transmission electron microscopy of cells wi

SUBMITTER: Yaeger JDW 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12807430 | biostudies-literature | 2026 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature