Fig. 1

Schematic description of the roles of secreted miRNAs in various physiological and pathological processes. a miR-335 secreted from T cells was transported via exosomes to recipient antigen-presenting cells and inhibited the translation of SOX4 mRNA. b miRNAs secreted from embryonic stem cells were transported to recipient mouse embryonic fibroblasts via microvesicles. c miRNAs secreted from mesenchymal stem cells were transported to recipient murine tubular epithelial cells via microvesicles. d miRNAs secreted from PBMCs and platelets were transported to recipient haematopoietic cells via microvesicles. e miRNAs secreted from adipocytes were transported to recipient hepatocytes via exosomes and downregulated the expression of Fgf21. f EBV miRNAs secreted by EBV-infected B cells were transported via exosomes to uninfected monocyte-derived dendritic cells and suppressed the translation of CXCL11 mRNA. g miR-150 secreted from the macrophage cell line THP-1 was transported via microvesicles to the recipient microvascular endothelial cell line HMEC-1 and downregulated the expression of c-Myb. h miR-214 secreted from tumour cells was transported via microvesicles to CD4⁺ cells and downregulated the expression of PTEN