Current understandings of the relationship between extracellular vesicles and cilia

Mammalian cells have a tiny hair-like protrusion on their surface called a primary cilium. Primary cilia are thought to be the antennae for the cells, receiving signals from the environment. In some studies, extracellular vesicles (EVs) were found attached to the surface of the primary cilium. An idea for the phenomenon is that the primary cilium is the receptor for receiving the EVs. Meanwhile, a unicellular organism, Chlamydomonas, which has two long cilia, usually called flagella, release EVs termed ectosomes from the surface of the flagella. Accumulating evidence suggests that the primary cilium also functions as the ‘emitter’ of EVs. Physiological and pathological impacts are also elucidated for the release of EVs from primary cilia. However, the roles of released cilia-derived EVs remain to be clarified. This review introduces the historical background of the relationship between EVs and cilia, and recent progresses in the research field.