Cells secrete a diverse array of extracellular vesicles (EVs) to mediate intercellular communication, profoundly influencing both physiological and pathological processes through the transfer of proteins, lipids, and genetic material. Among these, blebbisomes have recently emerged as a novel, large (up to 20 µm), organelle-rich EV subtype, distinguished by their dynamic membrane blebbing and active release from cells. Blebbisomes harbor a spectrum of intact organelles, including functional mitochondria and multivesicular endosomes, yet notably lack a nucleus. Their enrichment with immune checkpoint proteins in cancer underscores a potential role in immune regulation and tumor progression, positioning them at the forefront of research into disease mechanisms. The unique structural and functional attributes of blebbisomes highlight their potential significance as a crucial way of communication and promising targets for therapeutic innovation. This review synthesizes current advances in isolation, characterization, and functional understanding of blebbisomes, illuminating their emerging roles in health and disease.
Abhimanyu Thakur (Sun,) studied this question.