# mGem: Extracellular vesicles in Leishmania—secret messengers driving infection and disease

## TL;DR

This review explores how Leishmania parasites use extracellular vesicles to influence host cells and immune responses during infection.

## Contribution

The paper provides a focused review on the role of Leishmania-derived extracellular vesicles in virulence and immune modulation.

## Key findings

- Leishmania-derived EVs carry virulence factors that impact parasite biology.
- EVs from Leishmania modulate the host immune response, aiding infection progression.

## Abstract

Leishmaniasis is a disease caused by Leishmania parasites, transmitted by insects, that occurs worldwide. The parasite and parasite-infected cells release extracellular vesicles (EVs), which are involved in numerous biological processes. EVs secreted by Leishmania modulate the host cell and, in turn, the immune response. In this review, we focused on two particular EV-related topics: (i) EVs as carriers of Leishmania virulence factors and implications in parasite biology, and (ii) the effects of Leishmania-derived EVs on the host’s immune response.