In vivo imaging reveals exosome-mediated intercellular communication in lens development

Lens transparency relies on proper intercellular communication. Exosomes are crucial mediators of intercellular communication and play a key role in organ homeostasis and development. However, their presence and dynamics in the lens remain unclear. Here, we report endogenous exosomes in the zebrafish lens using cryaa-driven Cd63-AcGFP labeling. Live imaging revealed dynamic exosome movement within lens cells and their potential transfer to adjacent tissues. Additionally, we found that the biogenesis of Cd63+ exosomes in the lens is regulated by the Syntenin-a pathway. And Syntenin-a knockdown delayed lens development by impairing lens cell differentiation, highlighting the potential role of lens cell–derived exosomes. Furthermore, ROR1+ lens progenitor cell-derived extracellular vesicles promoted lentoid differentiation in vitro, with proteomic analysis suggesting underlying mechanisms. Overall, our study addresses the gap in direct observation of endogenous lens exosomes, providing foundational insights into lens pathophysiology and a potential strategy for modulating the lens microenvironment.