Innate versus adoptive competence
A cell possesses competency if it expresses specific receptors and can thus react to complementary signalling ligands.
Signalling ligands can be disseminated via signalling filopodia called cytonemes and exovesicles such as exosomes.
Cytonemes and exosomes can also transport receptors to receiving cells. Upon acquiring transferred receptors, receiving cells can react to the appropriate signal and thus acquire adoptive competency.
https://www.cell.com/trends/cell-biology/fulltext/S0962-8924(24)00258-7
https://sciencemission.com/Innate-versus-adoptive-competence
