Transport Mechanism Research Articles

Novel Phosphate Transporter-B PvPTB1;1/1;2 Contribute to Efficient Phosphate Uptake and Arsenic Accumulation in As-Hyperaccumulator Pteris vittata.

Arsenic (As) contamination in soil poses a potential threat to human health via crop uptake. As-hyperaccumulator Pteris vittata serves as a model plant to study As uptake and associated mechanisms. This study focuses on a novel P/AsV transport system mediated by low-affinity phosphate transporter-B 1 family (PTB1) in P. vittata. Here, we identified two plasma-membrane-localized PTB1 genes, PvPTB1;1/1;2, in vascular plants for the first time, which were 4.4-40-fold greater in expression in P. vittata than in other Pteris ferns. Functional complementation of a yeast P-uptake mutant and enhanced P accumulation in transgenic Arabidopsis thaliana confirmed their role in P uptake. Moreover, the expression of PvPTB1;1/1;2 facilitated the transport and accumulation of As in both yeast and A. thaliana shoots, demonstrating a comparable AsV uptake capacity. Microdissection-qPCR analysis and single-cell transcriptome analysis collectively suggest that PvPTB1;1/1;2 are specifically expressed in the epidermal cells of P. vittata roots. PTB1 may play a pivotal role in efficient P recycling during phytate secretion and hydrolysis in P. vittata roots. In summary, the dual P transport mechanisms consisting of high-affinity Pht1 and low-affinity PTB1 may have contributed to the efficient P/As uptake in P. vittata, thereby contributing to efficient phytoremediation for As-contaminated soils.

Thermoelectric optimization using first principles calculation and single parabolic band model: a case of Ca0.5La0.5-xBixMnO3 (x = 0, 0.25)

Abstract Conducting optimization calculations for thermoelectric performance can be beneficial in guiding the direction of further experimental work. In our study, we utilize a combination of the first principle, Boltzmann transport and restructured single parabolic band model to investigate the half-doped semiconductors based on manganite. Ca0.5La0.5-xBixMnO3 (x = 0, 0.25) as samples shows the power factor (PF) optimum value of 30% and 69% for x = 0 and 0.25, respectively at a temperature of 800 K. In addition, both samples show two to three orders of magnitude smaller lattice thermal conductivity than their electronic thermal conductivity. This excludes complex phononic transport mechanisms from the calculation of the figure of merit (ZT). The ZT calculations of CLMO and CLBMO are corrected by the ratio of the transport relaxation time of electrical conductivity to the transport relaxation time of electronic thermal conductivity by the Lorenz number, resulting in ZT values of 0.063 and 0.327 at a temperature of 800 K, respectively.

Biogas purification by CO2 removal using facilitated transport mechanism of cellulose nanocrystals/polyvinyl alcohol layered hollow fiber membranes

AbstractBiogas can be a viable solution for replacing the conventional fuel for reducing pollution. However, the high CO2 content in biogas must be removed for its utilization. In this study, biogas purification is carried out employing cellulose nanocrystals (CNC)/polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) “selective layered” polysulfone hollow fiber membrane. The membrane chamber is designed such that the cross‐flow of the biogas can be ensured for the effective interaction of the biogas with membrane surface. From various characterization tools like field emission scanning electron microscope, FTIR, X‐ray diffraction, moisture absorption and tensile test, CNC1/PVA (1 wt% of CNC in PVA) nanocomposite film demonstrated optimum crystallinity and mechanical strength while retaining higher moisture absorption. The average selective layer thickness at this CNC concentration is 1169 nm. CO2 permeability of 17,858 barrer and the selectivity of 19 for CO2 over CH4 is observed, respectively.

Trap-assisted tunneling in type II Ag2O/β-Ga2O3 self-powered solar blind photodetector

This study investigates a high-performance Ag2O/β-Ga2O3 self-powered photodiode through experimental and modeling approaches. Initially, a p-type Ag2O film, with a bandgap close to 4 eV and a hole density of approximately 6.35×1018 cm−3, was fabricated using faced two-target sputtering. The conduction and valence band offsets between Ag2O and β-Ga2O3 were determined via X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, confirming a type II heterojunction. The device had a low on-voltage of 1.50 V and a low on-resistance of 5.40 mΩ.cm² in the dark. Subsequent illumination at 254 nm resulted in a notably high photocurrent, responsivity, and detectivity. To confirm the role of trap-assisted tunneling in the type II Ag2O/β-Ga2O3 heterojunction, Silvaco simulations were employed to model both the dark current and photocurrent. These simulations confirmed the prevalence of the trap-assisted tunneling mechanism, particularly through energy levels situated above the equilibrium Fermi level at the Ag2O/β-Ga2O3 interface, as described by the Danielsson model. Understanding the transport mechanism is paramount for the development of high-performance photodetectors. By comprehending how charge carriers navigate through the device and the influence of traps on their behavior, researchers can optimize device design and fabrication processes to enhance performance.

Dynamical Tunneling in More than Two Degrees of Freedom

Recent progress towards understanding the mechanism of dynamical tunneling in Hamiltonian systems with three or more degrees of freedom (DoF) is reviewed. In contrast to systems with two degrees of freedom, the three or more degrees of freedom case presents several challenges. Specifically, in higher-dimensional phase spaces, multiple mechanisms for classical transport have significant implications for the evolution of initial quantum states. In this review, the importance of features on the Arnold web, a signature of systems with three or more DoF, to the mechanism of resonance-assisted tunneling is illustrated using select examples. These examples represent relevant models for phenomena such as intramolecular vibrational energy redistribution in isolated molecules and the dynamics of Bose–Einstein condensates trapped in optical lattices.

Silicon Nanowires as Anodes for Lithium‐Ion Batteries: Full Cell Modeling

Silicon (Si) anodes attract a lot of research attention for their potential to enable high‐energy density lithium‐ion batteries (LIBs). Many studies focus on nanostructured Si anodes to counteract deterioration. Herein, LIBs are modeled with Si nanowire anodes in combination with an ionic liquid (IL) electrolyte. On the anode side, elastic deformations to reflect the large volumetric changes of Si are allowed. With physics‐based continuum modeling, insight into usually hardly accessible quantities like the stress distribution in the active material can be provided. For the IL electrolyte, the thermodynamically consistent transport theory includes convection as relevant transport mechanism. The volume‐averaged 1d+1d framework is presented and parameter studies are performed to investigate the influence of the Si anode morphology on the cell performance. The findings highlight the importance of incorporating the volumetric expansion of Si in physics‐based simulations. Even for nanostructured anodes — which are said to be beneficial concerning the stresses — the expansion influences the achievable capacity of the cell. Accounting for enough pore space is important for efficient active material usage.

On Multi-Component Gas Migration in Single-Phase Systems

AbstractThe present work deals with diffusion of gases in fully saturated porous media. We test and validate the gas transport mechanism of dissolution and diffusion, implemented in the TH2M process class in the open-source finite-element software OpenGeoSys. We discuss the importance of gas diffusion for the integrity of the multi-barrier system. Furthermore, we present a multi-component mass balance equation implementation in Python, which serves as a reference for the two-component TH2M implementation and allows for a discussion of multi-component gas diffusion in liquids. We verify and validate the numerical implementations as follows: First, we come up with a set of numerical benchmarks in which solutions obtained by the two-component TH2M and multi-component implementations are compared. Thus, we show under which conditions predictions made by the TH2M model can be used for multi-component gas systems. Finally, the work is validated using a through diffusion experiment performed at Belgium’s Nuclear Research Centre SCK CEN and a sensitivity analysis is conducted based on the featured experiment. The results of this work illustrate that predictions by both the two- and four-component models match the laboratory findings very well. Therefore, we conclude that also the two-component implementation can reflect the multi-component processes well under the given constraints such as full saturation.

Emerging roles for ABC transporters as virulence factors in uropathogenic Escherichia coli

Urinary tract infections (UTI) account for a substantial financial burden globally. Over 75% of UTIs are caused by uropathogenic Escherichia coli (UPEC), which have demonstrated an extraordinarily rapid growth rate in vivo. This rapid growth rate appears paradoxical given that urine and the human urinary tract are relatively nutrient-restricted. Thus, we lack a fundamental understanding of how uropathogens propel growth in the host to fuel pathogenesis. Here, we used large in silico, in vivo, and in vitro screens to better understand the role of UPEC transport mechanisms and their contributions to uropathogenesis. In silico analysis of annotated transport systems indicated that the ATP-binding cassette (ABC) family of transporters was most conserved among uropathogenic bacterial species, suggesting their importance. Consistent with in silico predictions, we determined that the ABC family contributed significantly to fitness and virulence in the urinary tract: these were overrepresented as fitness factors in vivo (37.2%), liquid media (52.3%), and organ agar (66.2%). We characterized 12 transport systems that were most frequently defective in screening experiments by generating in-frame deletions. These mutant constructs were tested in urovirulence phenotypic assays and produced differences in motility and growth rate. However, deletion of multiple transport systems was required to achieve substantial fitness defects in the cochallenge murine model. This is likely due to genetic compensation among transport systems, highlighting the centrality of ABC transporters in these organisms. Therefore, these nutrient uptake systems play a concerted, critical role in pathogenesis and are broadly applicable candidate targets for therapeutic intervention.

Confined-Coordination Induced Intergrowth of Metal-Organic Framework into Precise Molecular Sieving Membranes.

Metal-organic framework (MOF) membranes with rich functionality and tunable pore system are promising for precise molecular separation; however, it remains a challenge to develop defect-free high-connectivity MOF membrane with high water stability owing to uncontrollable nucleation and growth rate during fabrication process. Herein, we report on a confined-coordination induced intergrowth strategy to fabricate lattice-defect-free Zr-MOF membrane towards precise molecular separation. The confined-coordination space properties (size and shape) and environment (water or DMF) were regulated to slow down the coordination reaction rate via controlling the counter-diffusion of MOF precursors (metal cluster and ligand), thereby inter-growing MOF crystals into integrated membrane. The resulting Zr-MOF membrane with angstrom-sized lattice apertures exhibits excellent separation performance both for gas separation and water desalination process. It was achieved H2 permeance of ~1200 GPU and H2/CO2 selectivity of ~67; water permeance of ~8 L·m-2·h-1·bar-1 and MgCl2 rejection of ~95%, which are one to two orders of magnitude higher than those of state-of-the-art membranes. The molecular transport mechanism related to size-sieving effect and transition energy barrier differential of molecules and ions was revealed by density functional theory calculations. Our work provides a facile approach and fundamental insights towards developing precise molecular sieving membranes.

Confined‐Coordination Induced Intergrowth of Metal‐Organic Framework into Precise Molecular Sieving Membranes

Metal‐organic framework (MOF) membranes with rich functionality and tunable pore system are promising for precise molecular separation; however, it remains a challenge to develop defect‐free high‐connectivity MOF membrane with high water stability owing to uncontrollable nucleation and growth rate during fabrication process. Herein, we report on a confined‐coordination induced intergrowth strategy to fabricate lattice‐defect‐free Zr‐MOF membrane towards precise molecular separation. The confined‐coordination space properties (size and shape) and environment (water or DMF) were regulated to slow down the coordination reaction rate via controlling the counter‐diffusion of MOF precursors (metal cluster and ligand), thereby inter‐growing MOF crystals into integrated membrane. The resulting Zr‐MOF membrane with angstrom‐sized lattice apertures exhibits excellent separation performance both for gas separation and water desalination process. It was achieved H2 permeance of ~1200 GPU and H2/CO2 selectivity of ~67; water permeance of ~8 L·m‐2·h‐1·bar‐1 and MgCl2 rejection of ~95%, which are one to two orders of magnitude higher than those of state‐of‐the‐art membranes. The molecular transport mechanism related to size‐sieving effect and transition energy barrier differential of molecules and ions was revealed by density functional theory calculations. Our work provides a facile approach and fundamental insights towards developing precise molecular sieving membranes.

Investigating the Thermal Conductance of the Cu/Si Interface Using the Molecular Dynamics Method

Investigating thermal transport at the Cu/Si interface holds significant importance, as understanding interface thermal conductance is crucial for enhancing materials interface thermal management, designing thermal interface materials, and improving the performance of thermoelectric devices. In this study, we conducted molecular dynamics simulations in conjunction with the Green–Kubo relation to calculate the thermal conductance of the Cu/Si interface. We successfully obtained Cu/Si interface potentials using the lattice inversion method. Our findings revealed that the thermal conductance of the Cu/Si interface is notably influenced by the interface structure. Specifically, the thermal conductance of the Cu(001)/Si(001) interface and the Cu(111)/Si(111) interface are similar, and both are higher than that of the Cu(110)/Si(110) interface. Furthermore, through first-principles calculations of the adhesion energy, we discovered that interface binding strength plays a critical role in determining interface thermal transport properties, and the influence of pressure was also discussed. This study contributes not only to the understanding of the thermal transport mechanisms at the Cu/Si interface but also provides important insights for designing novel interface materials.

Imbalance of sediment transport in a meso-tidal bay: effect of tidal pumping and residual circulation

In-situ mooring systems with acoustic Doppler current profilers were installed in the western (TM01) and eastern (TM02) parts of Yeosu Bay from September 3 to October 2, 2021, to understand the controlling mechanisms of suspended sediment transport. In the bay, freshwater from the Seomjin River freely exchanges with seawater from the open sea. Over the mooring period, current flows were mainly dominated by ebb tides. Power spectral density analysis of the suspended sediment concentration (SSC) exhibited a quarter-diurnal (6.21 h) frequency at TM01 and a semi-diurnal (12.42 h) frequency at TM02. The results suggested that SSC variations in the western part were driven primarily by local sediment resuspension, while they were influenced predominantly by horizontal advection in the eastern part. Differences in SSC variation at the two stations could be due to the physical properties of the bed sediments (TM01: sandy mud containing shell fragments, TM02: mud). Such current flows and SSC variations over the tidal cycles caused an imbalance of sediment transport. At TM01, the sediment fluxes were dominantly seaward due to tidal pumping (88% of the total) and the discharge of suspended sediments in the surface layer by residual circulation. At TM02, landward sediment fluxes were driven primarily by the residual current (73% of the total). Although the suspended sediment fluxes tended to be compensated and balanced mutually by circulation over the entire period, the suspended sediment fluxes at TM02 were approximately twice higher than those at TM01. This was caused by the difference in SSC asymmetry between flood and ebb at the two stations. The mechanisms controlling the transport of suspended sediment could vary spatially, and the relative contribution of tidal pumping and residual circulation could result in an imbalance of sediment transport.

Manipulation of Charge Transport in MoS2/MoTe2 Field Effect Transistors and Heterostructure by Propagating the Surface Acoustic Wave.

Two-dimensional (2D) materials with atomic-scale thickness are promising candidates to develop next-generation electronic and optoelectronic devices with multiple functions due to their widely tunable physical properties by various stimuli. The surface acoustic wave (SAW) produced at the surface of the piezoelectrical substrate can generate electrical and strain fields simultaneously with micro/nanometer resolution during propagation. It provides a stable and wireless platform to manipulate the rich and fascinating properties of 2D materials. However, the interaction mechanisms between the SAW and 2D materials remain unclear, preventing further development and potential applications of SAW-integrated 2D devices. This work studied the acoustoelectric (AE) charge transport mechanism in 2D materials thoroughly by characterizing the performances of the n-type MoS2 and p-type MoTe2 field effect transistors (FETs) and the MoS2/MoTe2 p-n junction driven by the SAW. As compared to the case driven by the static electrical field alone, the SAW drove the electron and hole transport along the same direction as its propagation, and the generated AE current always had the opposite direction to the AE voltage. In the device level, the 2D FETs showed a significantly reduced subthreshold swing up to around 67% when the SAW was used to drive the channel carriers, indicating that the SAW enhanced the on/off switching speed. Moreover, the MoTe2/MoS2 p-n junction showed a tunable photoresponsivity by the power and propagation direction of the SAW. These findings provide a solid foundation to promote future research and potential applications of SAW-driven multifunctional devices based on 2D materials.

Plasmids in the human gut reveal neutral dispersal and recombination that is overpowered by inflammatory diseases

Plasmids are pivotal in driving bacterial evolution through horizontal gene transfer. Here, we investigated 3467 human gut microbiome samples across continents and disease states, analyzing 11,086 plasmids. Our analyses reveal that plasmid dispersal is predominantly stochastic, indicating neutral processes as the primary driver of their wide distribution. We find that only 20-25% of plasmid DNA is being selected in various disease states, constraining its distribution across hosts. Selective pressures shape specific plasmid segments with distinct ecological functions, influenced by plasmid mobilization lifestyle, antibiotic usage, and inflammatory gut diseases. Notably, these elements are more commonly shared within groups of individuals with similar health conditions, such as Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD), regardless of geographic location across continents. These segments contain essential genes such as iron transport mechanisms- a distinctive gut signature of IBD that impacts the severity of inflammation. Our findings shed light on mechanisms driving plasmid dispersal and selection in the human gut, highlighting their role as carriers of vital gene pools impacting bacterial hosts and ecosystem dynamics.

Computational Insights into the Conformational Dynamics of HIV-1 Vpr in a Lipid Bilayer for Ion Channel Modeling.

HIV-1 Vpr is a multifunctional accessory protein consisting of 96 amino acids that play a critical role in viral pathogenesis. Among its diverse range of activities, Vpr can create a cation-selective ion channel within the plasma membrane. However, the oligomeric state of this channel has not yet been elucidated. In this study, we investigated the conformational dynamics of Vpr helices to model the ion channel topology. First, we employed a series of multiscale simulations to investigate the specific structure of monomeric Vpr in a membrane model. During the lipid bilayer self-assembly coarse grain simulation, the C-terminal helix (residues 56-77) effectively formed the transmembrane region, while the N-terminal helix exhibited an amphipathic nature by associating horizontally with a single leaflet. All-atom molecular dynamics (MD) simulations of full-length Vpr inside a phospholipid bilayer show that the C-terminal helix remains very stable inside the bilayer core in a vertical orientation. Subsequently, using the predicted C-terminal helix orientation and conformation, various oligomeric states (ranging from tetramer to heptamer) possibly forming the Vpr ion channel were built and further evaluated. Among these models, the pentameric form exhibited consistent stability in MD simulations and displayed a compatible conformation for a water-assisted ion transport mechanism. This study provides structural insights into the ion channel activity of the Vpr protein and the foundation for developing therapeutics against HIV-1 Vpr-related conditions.

A FRACTAL-BASED OIL TRANSPORT MODEL WITH UNCERTAINTY REDUCTION FOR A MULTI-SCALE SHALE PORE SYSTEM

The challenges of modeling shale oil transport are numerous and include strong solid-fluid interactions, fluid rheology, the multi-scale nature of the pore structure problem, and the different pore types involved. Until now, theoretical studies have not fully considered shale oil transport mechanisms and multi-scale pore structure properties. In this study, we propose a fractal-based oil transport model with uncertainty reduction for a multi-scale shale pore system. The fractal properties of the shale pore system are obtained using high-resolution scanning electron microscope (SEM) imaging combined with laboratory core sample gas permeability measurements to reduce the model uncertainty. This fractal-based oil transport model accounts for boundary slippage, fluid rheology, the adsorption layer, and different pore types. We further pinpoint the effects of the fractal properties (pore fractal dimension, tortuosity fractal dimension), the shale pore properties (pore type, pore size, total organic carbon in volume), and the fluid properties (yield stress, liquid slippage, adsorption layer) on the shale oil permeability and mobile oil saturation using the proposed model. The results reveal that the size of the inorganic pores has the largest influence on the shale oil transport properties, followed by the yield stress, tortuosity fractal dimension, and the fractal dimension of the inorganic pores.

Effect of Ar pressure on phase transition characteristics and charge transport mechanism in VO2 films grown by RF sputtering of V2O5

In this study, we report the growth and characterization of VO2 films deposited on YSZ (001) substrate employing RF magnetron sputtering of vanadium pentoxide (V2O5) target in pure Ar gas ambient. The VO2 film growth has been carried out at ∼700 °C for ∼15 min at ∼100 W RF power with a flow rate of ∼20 sccm at Ar gas deposition pressure of ∼3, ∼6, ∼20, and ∼40 mTorr. x-ray diffractometry and Raman spectroscopy show that the nearly pure VO2 phase achieved at lower Ar pressure, e.g., ∼3 and ∼6 mTorr transform into a multiphase V-O system at ∼20 and ∼40 mTorr. This pattern is also supported by the electrical transport measurements through the occurrence of hysteretic IMT in films grown at ∼3 and ∼6 mTorr and the absence of this signature in these films deposited at ∼20 and ∼40 mtorr Ar pressure. The most pronounced with the strongest hysteresis is seen in the Y6 film, and therefore, the optimum growth pressure in the present study is ∼6 mTorr. The suppression of IMT in Y20 and Y40 is attributed to the appearance of other V-O phases, which smear out the phase transition. The activation energy of the insulating phase is estimated from the Arrhenius fit to the ρ-T data is found to be ∼0.223 eV at ∼3 mTorr Ar pressure which increases to ∼0.311 eV for ∼6 mTorr film in the cooling cycle. The low temperature (120K≤T≤300K) transport conduction in all VO2 films is governed by Efros-Shklovskii’s variable range hopping (ES-VRH) mechanism with a systematic relation between growth conditions and phase transition characteristics. Thus, Argon gas pressure plays a critical role in growth and brings out the feasibility of VO2 films growth by RF sputtering of oxide V2O5 target under Argon ambient only.

Robust Thermal Transport across the Surface-Active Bonding SiC-on-SiC.

Surface-active bonding (SAB) is a promising technique for semiconductors directly bonding. However, the interlayer of the bonding interface and the reduced layer thickness may affect thermal transport. In this study, the temperature-dependent cross-plane thermal conductivity of 4H-SiC thin films and the effective thermal boundary resistance (TBReff) of the bonding SiC-on-SiC are measured by the multiple-probe wavelength nanosecond transient thermoreflectance (MW-TTR). The measured temperature-dependent cross-plane thermal conductivity of the 4H-SiC thin film exhibits good quantitative agreement with calculation by density functional theory (DFT) including higher-order four-phonon (4ph) scattering, especially at high temperatures (>400 K). The theoretical calculations indicate the non-negligible importance of 4ph scattering in 4H-SiC high-temperature applications, due to the significantly increasing 4ph scattering rate at increasing temperature and strong temperature dependence of 4ph scattering. The measured nonzero but small TBReff (2.33 + 0.43/-1.15 m2 K/GW) at the SiC-SiC interface is analyzed with molecular dynamics (MD) simulation, indicating that a strong bonding interface with an extremely thin interlayer is formed by the SAB process. Two-dimensional finite element simulations of the experimental equivalent structures are further investigated, and the significant effects (at least 19 °C) of TBReff on the maximum temperature (Tmax) are confirmed. This study provides insight into the fundamental phonon transport and interface thermal transport mechanism in SAB SiC-on-SiC and paves the way for improved 4H-SiC efficient device manufacturing and thermal management.

LDL receptor-related protein 5 selectively transports unesterified polyunsaturated fatty acids to intracellular compartments

Polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), which cannot be synthesized by animals and must be supplied from the diet, have been strongly associated with human health. However, the mechanisms for their accretion remain poorly understood. Here, we show that LDL receptor-related protein 5 (LRP5), but not its homolog LRP6, selectively transports unesterified PUFAs into a number of cell types. The LDLa ligand-binding repeats of LRP5 directly bind to PUFAs and are required and sufficient for PUFA transport. In contrast to the known PUFA transporters Mfsd2a, CD36 and FATP2, LRP5 transports unesterified PUFAs via internalization to intracellular compartments including lysosomes, and n-3 PUFAs depend on this transport mechanism to inhibit mTORC1. This LRP5-mediated PUFA transport mechanism suppresses extracellular trap formation in neutrophils and protects mice from myocardial injury during ischemia-reperfusion. Thus, this study reveals a biologically important mechanism for unesterified PUFA transport to intracellular compartments.

Extracellular Vesicles from Scedosporium apiospermum Mycelial Cells: Implication for Fungal-Host Interplays

The release of extracellular vesicles (EVs) has been implicated as an alternative transport mechanism for the passage of macromolecules through the fungal cell wall, a phenomenon widely reported in yeasts but poorly explored in mycelial cells. In the present work, we have purified and characterized the EVs released by mycelia of the emerging, opportunistic, widespread and multidrug-resistant filamentous fungus Scedosporium apiospermum. Transmission electron microscopy images and light scattering measurements revealed the fungal EVs, which were observed individually or grouped with heterogeneous morphology, size and electron density. The mean diameter of the EVs, evaluated by the light scattering technique, was 179.7 nm. Overall, the structural stability of S. apiospermum EVs was preserved during incubation under various storage conditions. The lipid, carbohydrate and protein contents were quantified, and the EVs’ protein profile was evidenced by SDS-PAGE, revealing proteins with molecular masses ranging from 20 to 118 kDa. Through immunoblotting, ELISA and immunocytochemistry assays, antigenic molecules were evidenced in EVs using a polyclonal serum (called anti-secreted molecules) from a rabbit inoculated with conditioned cell-free supernatant obtained from S. apiospermum mycelial cells. By Western blotting, several antigenic proteins were identified. The ELISA assay confirmed that the anti-secreted molecules exhibited a positive reaction up to a serum dilution of 1:3200. Despite transporting immunogenic molecules, S. apiospermum EVs slightly induced an in vitro cytotoxicity effect after 48 h of contact with either macrophages or lung epithelial cells. Interestingly, the pretreatment of both mammalian cells with purified EVs significantly increased the association index with S. apiospermum conidia. Furthermore, EVs were highly toxic to Galleria mellonella, leading to larval death in a typically dose- and time-dependent manner. Collectively, the results represent the first report of detecting EVs in the S. apiospermum filamentous form, highlighting a possible implication in fungal pathogenesis.