Dr. Kenneth Witwer, associate professor of molecular and comparative pathobiology and neurology at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, joins us to discuss extracellular vesicles (EVs) and their roles in cell communication. EVs, also called exosomes, are small signaling particles that cells use to communicate with one another.

Dr. Witwer discusses where EVs are found on cells and their applications in identifying the status and/or type of cell. He discusses the role of EVs in retroviruses (such as HIV) to illustrate their role in viral infection, integration, and evasion by the host immune system.

In this podcast, you will learn:

· How different types of EVs function in healthy and diseased states

· How EVs may someday be utilized as a screening tool for Alzheimer’s and other neurodegenerative diseases

· What challenges exist in utilizing EVs for Alzheimer’s and other neurodegenerative diseases treatments

For more information visit the International Society for Extracellular Vesicles (www.isev.org/) or the Journal of Extracellular Vesicles (JEV).

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