During the last decade, there has been great interest in elucidating the biological role of extracellular vesicles (EVs), particularly, their hormone-like role in cell-to-cell communication. The field of endocrinology is uniquely placed to provide insight into the functions of EVs, which are secreted from all cells into biological fluids and carry endocrine signals to engage in paracellular and distal interactions. EVs are a heterogeneous population of membrane-bound vesicles of varying size, content, and bioactivity. EVs are specifically packaged with signaling molecules, including lipids, proteins, and nucleic acids, and are released via exocytosis into biofluid compartments. EVs regulate the activity of both proximal and distal target cells, including translational activity, metabolism, growth, and development. As such, EVs signaling represents an integral pathway mediating intercellular communication. Moreover, as the content of EVs is cell-type specific, it is a "fingerprint" of the releasing cell and its metabolic status. Recently, changes in the profile of EV and bioactivity have been described in several endocrine-related conditions including diabetes, obesity, cardiovascular diseases, and cancer. The goal of this statement is to highlight relevant aspects of EV research and their potential role in the field of endocrinology.

中文翻译：

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细胞外囊泡及其在内分泌学中作为细胞信使的新兴作用：内分泌学会的科学声明。

在过去的十年中，人们对阐明细胞外囊泡（EV）的生物学作用产生了极大的兴趣，特别是它们在细胞间通讯中的类激素作用。内分泌学领域具有独特的地位，可以深入了解 EV 的功能，EV 由所有细胞分泌到生物体液中，并携带内分泌信号以参与细胞旁和远端相互作用。EV 是不同大小、内容和生物活性的膜结合囊泡的异质群体。EV 与信号分子（包括脂质、蛋白质和核酸）专门包装，并通过胞吐作用释放到生物流体室中。EV 调节近端和远端靶细胞的活性，包括翻译活性、代谢、生长和发育。因此，EV 信号传导代表了介导细胞间通讯的完整途径。此外，由于 EV 的含量具有细胞类型特异性，因此它是释放细胞及其代谢状态的“指纹”。最近，在多种内分泌相关疾病中，包括糖尿病、肥胖、心血管疾病和癌症，EV 和生物活性的变化已被描述。本声明的目的是强调 EV 研究的相关方面及其在内分泌学领域的潜在作用。