Healthy cells release two major EV subtypes, namely exosomes through exocytosis of multivesicular bodies and microvesicles through plasma membrane shedding (upper panel). Apoptotic cells generate apoptotic bodies (ApoBDs) via apoptotic cell disassembly with three distinct morphological changes: (i) membrane blebbing, (ii) formation of thin membrane protrusion including apoptopodia and beaded-apoptopodia and (iii) fragmentation of membrane protrusion to form distinct ApoBDs. ApoBD biogenesis is regulated by caspase-cleaved substrates, including ROCK1, which phosphorylates and activates blebbing-regulating myosin light-chain (MLC), and PLXB2 (positive regulators) as well as ATP channel PANX1 (negative regulator). Various cellular biomolecules, including nucleic acids and proteins, can be packed into ApoBDs, exosomes and microvesicles, which aid intercellular communications. CASP-3/7, caspases 3 and 7; ROCK1, Rho-associated kinase 1; MLC, myosin light-chain; MLC-P, phosphorylated myosin light-chain; PANX1, pannexin 1; PLXB2, plexin B2.