scholarly journals Extracellular Vesicle Quantification and Characterization: Common Methods and Emerging Approaches

2019 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
pp. 7 ◽  
Author(s):  
Thomas Hartjes ◽  
Serhii Mytnyk ◽  
Guido Jenster ◽  
Volkert van Steijn ◽  
Martin van Royen

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are a family of small membrane vesicles that carry information about cells by which they are secreted. Growing interest in the role of EVs in intercellular communication, but also in using their diagnostic, prognostic and therapeutic potential in (bio) medical applications, demands for accurate assessment of their biochemical and physical properties. In this review, we provide an overview of available technologies for EV analysis by describing their working principles, assessing their utility in EV research and summarising their potential and limitations. To emphasise the innovations in EV analysis, we also highlight the unique possibilities of emerging technologies with high potential for further development.

2011 ◽  
Vol 11 ◽  
pp. 1120-1130 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vladislav M. Chernov ◽  
Olga A. Chernova ◽  
Alexey A. Mouzykantov ◽  
Irina R. Efimova ◽  
Gulnara F. Shaymardanova ◽  
...  

Extracellular vesicle production is believed to be a ubiquitous process in bacteria, but the data on such a process in Mollicutes are absent. We report the isolation of ultramicroforms – extracellular vesicles from supernatants ofAcholeplasma laidlawiiPG8 (ubiquitous mycoplasma; the main contaminant of cell culture). Considering sizes, morphology, and ultrastructural organization, the ultramicroforms ofA. laidlawiiPG8 are similar to membrane vesicles of Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. We demonstrate thatA. laidlawiiPG8 vesicles contain genetic material and proteins, and are mutagenic to lymphocytes of human peripheral blood. We show thatMycoplasma gallisepticumS6, the other mycoplasma, also produce similar structures, which suggests that shedding of the vesicles might be the common phenomenon in Mollicutes. We found that the action of stress conditions results in the intensive formation of ultramicroforms in mycoplasmas. The role of vesicular formation in mycoplasmas remains to be studied.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sara B. York ◽  
Li Sun ◽  
Allaura S. Cone ◽  
Leanne C. Duke ◽  
Mujeeb R. Cheerathodi ◽  
...  

ABSTRACTExtracellular vesicles (EVs) are membrane-encapsulated structures released by cells which carry signaling factors, proteins and microRNAs that mediate intercellular communication. Accumulating evidence supports an important role of EVs in the progression of neurological conditions and both the spread and pathogenesis of infectious diseases. It has recently been demonstrated that EVs from Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infected individuals and cells contained replicative-competent viral RNA that was capable of infecting hepatocytes. Being a member of the same viral family, it is likely the Zika virus also hijacks EV pathways to package viral components and secrete vesicles that are infectious and potentially less immunogenic. As EVs have been shown to cross blood-brain and placental barriers, it is possible that Zika virus could usurp normal EV biology to gain access to the brain or developing fetus. Here, we demonstrate that Zika virus infected cells secrete distinct EV sub-populations with specific viral protein profiles and infectious genomes. Zika virus infection resulted in the enhanced production of EVs with varying sizes and density compared to those released from non-infected cells. We also show that the EV enriched tetraspanin CD63 regulates the release of EVs, and Zika viral genomes and capsids following infection. Overall, these findings provide evidence for an alternative means of Zika virus transmission and demonstrate the role of EV biogenesis and trafficking proteins in the modulation of Zika infection.ImportanceZika virus is a re-emerging infectious disease that spread rapidly across the Caribbean and South America. Infection of pregnant women during the first trimester has been linked to microcephaly, a neurological condition where babies are born with smaller heads due to abnormal brain development. Babies born with microcephaly can develop convulsions and suffer disabilities as they age. Despite the significance of Zika virus, little is known about how the virus infects the fetus or causes disease. Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are membrane-encapsulated structures released by cells that are present in all biological fluids. EVs carry signaling factors, proteins and microRNAs that mediate intercellular communication. EVs have been shown to be a means by which some viruses can alter cellular environments and cross previously unpassable cellular barriers. Thus gaining a greater understanding of how Zika affects EV cargo may aid in the development of better diagnostics, targeted therapeutics and prophylactic treatments.


2021 ◽  
Vol 19 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ayaz M. Belkozhayev ◽  
Minnatallah Al-Yozbaki ◽  
Alex George ◽  
Raigul Ye Niyazova ◽  
Kamalidin O. Sharipov ◽  
...  

There are different modalities of intercellular communication governed by cellular homeostasis. In this review, we will explore one of these forms of communication called extracellular vesicles (EVs). These vesicles are released by all cells in the body and are heterogeneous in nature. The primary function of EVs is to share information through their cargo consisting of proteins, lipids and nucleic acids (mRNA, miRNA, dsDNA etc.) with other cells, which have a direct consequence on their microenvironment. We will focus on the role of EVs of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) in the nervous system and how these participate in intercellular communication to maintain physiological function and provide neuroprotection. However, deregulation of this same communication system could play a role in several neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, multiple sclerosis, prion disease and Huntington’s disease. The release of EVs from a cell provides crucial information to what is happening inside the cell and thus could be used in diagnostics and therapy. We will discuss and explore new avenues for the clinical applications of using engineered MSC-EVs and their potential therapeutic benefit in treating neurodegenerative diseases.


Viruses ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (10) ◽  
pp. 1200 ◽  
Author(s):  
Allen Caobi ◽  
Madhavan Nair ◽  
Andrea D. Raymond

Most cells can release extracellular vesicles (EVs), membrane vesicles containing various proteins, nucleic acids, enzymes, and signaling molecules. The exchange of EVs between cells facilitates intercellular communication, amplification of cellular responses, immune response modulation, and perhaps alterations in viral pathogenicity. EVs serve a dual role in inhibiting or enhancing viral infection and pathogenesis. This review examines the current literature on EVs to explore the complex role of EVs in the enhancement, inhibition, and potential use as a nanotherapeutic against clinically relevant viruses, focusing on neurotropic viruses: Zika virus (ZIKV) and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Overall, this review’s scope will elaborate on EV-based mechanisms, which impact viral pathogenicity, facilitate viral spread, and modulate antiviral immune responses.


2019 ◽  
Vol 127 (2) ◽  
pp. 645-653 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ivan J. Vechetti

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) were initially characterized as “garbage bags” with the purpose of removing unwanted material from cells. It is now becoming clear that EVs mediate intercellular communication between distant cells through a transfer of genetic material, a process important to the systemic adaptation in physiological and pathological conditions. Although speculative, it has been suggested that the majority of EVs that make it into the bloodstream would be coming from skeletal muscle, since it is one of the largest organs in the human body. Although it is well established that skeletal muscle secretes peptides (currently known as myokines) into the bloodstream, the notion that skeletal muscle releases EVs is in its infancy. Besides intercellular communication and systemic adaptation, EV release could represent the mechanism by which muscle adapts to certain stimuli. This review summarizes the current understanding of EV biology and biogenesis and current isolation methods and briefly discusses the possible role EVs have in regulating skeletal muscle mass.


2019 ◽  
Vol 20 (19) ◽  
pp. 4813 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sevindzh Kletukhina ◽  
Olga Neustroeva ◽  
Victoria James ◽  
Albert Rizvanov ◽  
Marina Gomzikova

Epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a process that takes place during embryonic development, wound healing, and under some pathological processes, including fibrosis and tumor progression. The molecular changes occurring within epithelial cells during transformation to a mesenchymal phenotype have been well studied. However, to date, the mechanism of EMT induction remains to be fully elucidated. Recent findings in the field of intercellular communication have shed new light on this process and indicate the need for further studies into this important mechanism. New evidence supports the hypothesis that intercellular communication between mesenchymal stroma/stem cells (MSCs) and resident epithelial cells plays an important role in EMT induction. Besides direct interactions between cells, indirect paracrine interactions by soluble factors and extracellular vesicles also occur. Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are important mediators of intercellular communication, through the transfer of biologically active molecules, genetic material (mRNA, microRNA, siRNA, DNA), and EMT inducers to the target cells, which are capable of reprogramming recipient cells. In this review, we discuss the role of intercellular communication by EVs to induce EMT and the acquisition of stemness properties by normal and tumor epithelial cells.


Cancers ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (12) ◽  
pp. 3696
Author(s):  
Kevin Ho Wai Yim ◽  
Ala’a Al Hrout ◽  
Simone Borgoni ◽  
Richard Chahwan

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are emerging as potent and intricate intercellular communication networks. From their first discovery almost forty years ago, several studies have bolstered our understanding of these nano-vesicular structures. EV subpopulations are now characterized by differences in size, surface markers, cargo, and biological effects. Studies have highlighted the importance of EVs in biology and intercellular communication, particularly during immune and tumor interactions. These responses can be equally mediated at the proteomic and epigenomic levels through surface markers or nucleic acid cargo signaling, respectively. Following the exponential growth of EV studies in recent years, we herein synthesize new aspects of the emerging immune–tumor EV-based intercellular communications. We also discuss the potential role of EVs in fundamental immunological processes under physiological conditions, viral infections, and tumorigenic conditions. Finally, we provide insights on the future prospects of immune–tumor EVs and suggest potential avenues for the use of EVs in diagnostics and therapeutics.


2016 ◽  
Vol 311 (5) ◽  
pp. F844-F851 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wei Zhang ◽  
Xiangjun Zhou ◽  
Hao Zhang ◽  
Qisheng Yao ◽  
Yutao Liu ◽  
...  

Extracellular vesicles (EV) are endogenously produced, membrane-bound vesicles that contain various molecules. Depending on their size and origins, EVs are classified into apoptotic bodies, microvesicles, and exosomes. A fundamental function of EVs is to mediate intercellular communication. In kidneys, recent research has begun to suggest a role of EVs, especially exosomes, in cell-cell communication by transferring proteins, mRNAs, and microRNAs to recipient cells as nanovectors. EVs may mediate the cross talk between various cell types within kidneys for the maintenance of tissue homeostasis. They may also mediate the cross talk between kidneys and other organs under physiological and pathological conditions. EVs have been implicated in the pathogenesis of both acute kidney injury and chronic kidney diseases, including renal fibrosis, end-stage renal disease, glomerular diseases, and diabetic nephropathy. The release of EVs with specific molecular contents into urine and plasma may be useful biomarkers for kidney disease. In addition, EVs produced by cultured cells may have therapeutic effects for these diseases. However, the role of EVs in kidney diseases is largely unclear, and the mechanism underlying EV production and secretion remains elusive. In this review, we introduce the basics of EVs and then analyze the present information about the involvement, diagnostic value, and therapeutic potential of EVs in major kidney diseases.


2018 ◽  
Vol 62 (2) ◽  
pp. 125-133 ◽  
Author(s):  
Crislyn D’Souza-Schorey ◽  
Jeffrey S. Schorey

EV (extracellular vesicle) biology is a rapidly expanding field. These heterogeneous membrane vesicles, which are shed from virtually all cell types, collectively represent a new dimension of intercellular communication in normal physiology and disease. They have been shown to deliver infectious and pathogenic agents to non-infected cells whereas in cancers they are thought to condition the tumor microenvironment. Their presence in body fluids and inherent capacity for systemic delivery point to their clinical promise. All of the above only intensifies the need to better understand the classification, mode of biogenesis, and contents of the different subtypes of EVs. This article focusses on vesicle subtypes labeled as exosomes and MVs (microvesicles) and discusses the biogenesis and release of these vesicles from cells.


2011 ◽  
Vol 68 (16) ◽  
pp. 2667-2688 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bence György ◽  
Tamás G. Szabó ◽  
Mária Pásztói ◽  
Zsuzsanna Pál ◽  
Petra Misják ◽  
...  

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