Vesiclepedia: a compendium for extracellular vesicles with continuous community annotation

Abstract

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are membraneous vesicles released by a variety of cells into their microenvironment. Recent studies have elucidated the role of EVs in intercellular communication, pathogenesis, drug, vaccine and gene-vector delivery, and as possible reservoirs of biomarkers. These findings have generated immense interest, along with an exponential increase in molecular data pertaining to EVs. Here, we describe Vesiclepedia, a manually curated compendium of molecular data (lipid, RNA, and protein) identified in different classes of EVs from more than 300 independent studies published over the past several years. Even though databases are indispensable resources for the scientific community, recent studies have shown that more than 50% of the databases are not regularly updated. In addition, more than 20% of the database links are inactive. To prevent such database and link decay, we have initiated a continuous community annotation project with the active involvement of EV researchers. The EV research community can set a gold standard in data sharing with Vesiclepedia, which could evolve as a primary resource for the field.

Figure 1. A schematic of Vesiclepedia community annotation.

Based on the agreement of community participation, members will submit their data automatically to Vesiclepedia before and after publication. Non-members submitting their research findings for peer-review through international journals might find some of the Vesiclepedia members as referees who will request/mandate the authors to submit the data to Vesiclepedia. Alternatively, a non-member can also be appointed as a referee in which case the data might not be submitted to Vesiclepedia. A non-member can also submit data directly to Vesiclepedia.