Extracellular Vesicles from Follicular and Ampullary Fluid Isolated by Density Gradient Ultracentrifugation Improve Bovine Embryo Development and Quality

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) have been isolated from follicular (FF) and ampullary oviduct fluid (AOF), using different isolation methods. However, it is not clear whether different purification methods can affect the functionality of resulting EVs. Here, we compared two methods (OptiPrep™ density gradient ultracentrifugation (ODG UC) and single-step size exclusion chromatography (SEC) (qEV IZON™ single column)) for the isolation of EVs from bovine FF and AOF. Additionally, we evaluated whether the addition of EVs derived either by ODG UC or SEC from FF or AOF during oocyte maturation would yield extra benefits for embryo developmental competence. The characterization of EVs isolated using ODG UC or SEC from FF and AOF did not show any differences in terms of EV sizes (40–400 nm) and concentrations (2.4 ± 0.2 × 1012−1.8 ± 0.2 × 1013 particles/mL). Blastocyst yield and quality was higher in groups supplemented with EVs isolated from FF and AOF by ODG UC, with higher total cell numbers and a lower apoptotic cell ratio compared with the other groups (p < 0.05). Supplementing in vitro maturation media with EVs derived by ODG UC from AOF was beneficial for bovine embryo development and quality.

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Comparative Evaluation of Methods for Isolating Small Extracellular Vesicles Derived from Pancreatic Cancer Cells

10.21203/rs.3.rs-110539/v2 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Jie-Min Wang ◽

Yong-Jiang Li ◽

Jun-Yong Wu ◽

Jia-Xin Cai ◽

Jing Wen ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Pancreatic Cancer ◽

Cancer Cells ◽

Density Gradient ◽

Extracellular Vesicles ◽

Pancreatic Cancer Cell Line ◽

Size Exclusion ◽

Density Gradient Ultracentrifugation ◽

High Concentration ◽

Protein Marker ◽

Pancreatic Cancer Cells

Abstract Background: Small extracellular vesicles (sEVs) are nanosized vesicles involved in cell-to-cell communication. sEVs have been widely studied for clinical applications such as early detection of diseases and as therapeutics. Various methods for sEVs isolation are been using, but different methods may result in different qualities of sEVs and impact downstream analysis and applications. Here, we compared current isolation methods and performed a comparative analysis of sEVs from supernatant of cultured pancreatic cancer cells.Methods: Ultracentrifugation, ultrafiltration and co-precipitation as concentration methods were firstly evaluated for yield, size, morphology and protein level of pellets. Then, isolate sEVs obtained by four different purification methods: size exclusion chromatography, density gradient ultracentrifugation, ultracentrifugation, and immunoaffinity capturing, were analysed and compared.Results: For the concentration process, ultracentrifugation method obtained high quality and high concentration of pellets. For the purification process, immunoaffinity capturing method obtained the purest sEVs with less contaminants, while density gradient ultracentrifugation-based method obtained sEVs with the smallest size. Proteomic analysis revealed distinct protein contents of purified sEVs from different methods. Conclusions: For isolating sEVs derived from supernatant of cultured pancreatic cancer cell line, ultracentrifugation-based method is recommended for concentration of sEVs, density gradient ultracentrifugation-based method may be applied for obtaining purified sEVs with controlled size, immunoaffinity capturing may be suitable for studies requiring sEVs with high purity but may loss subtypes of sEVs without specific protein marker.

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Comparative Evaluation of Methods for Isolating Small Extracellular Vesicles Derived from Pancreatic Cells

10.21203/rs.3.rs-110539/v1 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Jie-Min Wang ◽

Yong-Jiang Li ◽

Jun-Yong Wu ◽

Jia-Xin Cai ◽

Jing Wen ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Pancreatic Cancer ◽

Cancer Cells ◽

Density Gradient ◽

Extracellular Vesicles ◽

Cell Communication ◽

Size Exclusion ◽

Density Gradient Ultracentrifugation ◽

Pancreatic Cancer Cells ◽

Co Precipitation ◽

Therapeutic Study

Abstract Background: Small extracellular vesicles (sEVs) are nanosized vesicles involved in cell-to-cell communication. sEVs have been widely studied for clinical applications such as early detection of diseases and as therapeutics. Various methods for sEVs isolation have been using, but different methods may result in different qualities of sEVs and impact downstream analysis and applications. Here, we compared current isolation methods and performed a comparative analysis of sEVs derived from pancreatic cancer cells.Results: Ultracentrifugation, ultrafiltration and co-precipitation as concentration methods were firstly evaluated for yield, size, morphology and protein level of pellets. Then, isolate sEVs obtained by four different purification methods: size exclusion chromatography, density gradient ultracentrifugation, ultracentrifugation, and immunoaffinity capturing, were analysed and compared. For the concentration process, ultracentrifugation method obtained high quality and concentration pellets. For the purification process, immunoaffinity capturing method obtained the purest sEVs with less contaminants, while density gradient ultracentrifugation-based method obtained sEVs with the smallest size. Proteomic analysis revealed distinct protein contents of purified sEVs. Conclusions: For isolating sEVs derived from pancreatic cancer cells, ultracentrifugation-based method is recommended for concentration of sEVs, density gradient ultracentrifugation-based method may be suitable for isolation of sEVs for therapeutic study, immunoaffinity capturing may be applied for studies exploring sEVs as biomarkers.

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99 EXTRACELLULAR VESICLES OF BOVINE OVIDUCTAL FLUID MODIFY THE GENE EXPRESSION ON BOVINE IN VITRO-DERIVED EMBRYOS

Reproduction Fertility and Development ◽

10.1071/rdv28n2ab99 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 28 (2) ◽

pp. 179 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

R. Lopera-Vasquez ◽

M. Hamdi ◽

V. Maillo ◽

C. Nunez ◽

M. Yanez-Mo ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Gene Expression ◽

Embryo Development ◽

Extracellular Vesicles ◽

Membrane Trafficking ◽

Dna Methyltransferase ◽

De Novo ◽

Expression Patterns ◽

Water Channel ◽

Developmental Competence

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) act as intercellular communicators through their protein, lipid, and mRNA content. The interaction of EVs from oviducal environment and the first stages of embryo development is currently an enigma. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the developmental competence and the expression profile of bovine blastocysts cultured with previously purified EVs recovered from ampullary and isthmic oviducal fluid (OF) under different centrifugal forces. OF-EVs recovered from oviducts of slaughtered heifers in early luteal phase were quantified with a nanoparticle tracking analysis system, and their integrity and size were assessed by electron microscopy. In vitro-produced zygotes were cultured in SOF+3 mg mL–1 BSA (C–), C– with 3 × 105 OF-EVs/mL from the ampulla (A) and isthmus (I) isolated at 1 × 103 (A10k and I10k, respectively) and 1 × 105 (A100k and I100k, respectively) × g. A control culture group of SOF+5% FCS (C+) was included. Blastocyst development was recorded on Day 7, 8, and 9 (D0: day of fertilization). Blastocysts on Days 7/8 cultured in C–, C+, I10k, and I100k were used to measure the relative mRNA expression of genes related with membrane trafficking (AQP3, AQP11, and ATP1A1), metabolism (LDLR and LDHA), and epigenetics (DNMT3A, IGF2R, GRB10, and SNRPN) by RT-qPCR. One-way ANOVA was used for statistical analysis. The size of ampullary and isthmic OF-EVs was similar with a mean of 220 nm. The concentration of I10k was significantly lower compared with A100k (3.6 × 108 v. 10.5 × 108 EVs/mL, respectively; P < 0.05); however, no differences were found in the rest of the groups with a mean concentration of 7.6 × 108 EVs/mL. EVs and C– groups showed a delayed embryo development at Day 7 compared with C+ (range: 12.0–13.8 v. 20.6%, respectively, P < 0.05); however, it was compensated at Days 8 and 9 (Day 9 range: 28.5–30.8%). The water channel related protein AQP3, associated with blastocoel formation, water, and cryoprotectant movement during cryopreservation, was up-regulated in I10k and I100k blastocysts compared with C+. The lipid receptor LDLR, proposed as a regulator of lipid uptake in blastocysts, was significantly down-regulated in C+ compared with the other groups, a possible consequence of a higher concentration of lipids in the C+ group. The de novo DNA methyltransferase DNMT3A and the imprinting gene SNRPN were down-regulated in the C+ compared with I100k, suggesting alterations in imprinting. In conclusion, bovine isthmic OF-EVs supplementation in in vitro embryo culture has a positive effect on gene expression patterns of developmental related genes compared with serum supplementation, suggesting an association between the oviducal environment and the developing embryo. Funded by the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation (AGL2012–37510 and AGL2012–39652-C02–01).

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Comparative evaluation of methods for isolating small extracellular vesicles derived from pancreatic cancer cells

Cell & Bioscience ◽

10.1186/s13578-021-00550-3 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Jie-Min Wang ◽

Yong-Jiang Li ◽

Jun-Yong Wu ◽

Jia-Xin Cai ◽

Jing Wen ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Pancreatic Cancer ◽

Cancer Cells ◽

Density Gradient ◽

Extracellular Vesicles ◽

Pancreatic Cancer Cell Line ◽

Size Exclusion ◽

Density Gradient Ultracentrifugation ◽

High Concentration ◽

Protein Marker ◽

Pancreatic Cancer Cells

Abstract Background Small extracellular vesicles (sEVs) are nanosized vesicles involved in cell-to-cell communication. sEVs have been widely studied for clinical applications such as early detection of diseases and as therapeutics. Various methods for sEVs isolation are been using, but different methods may result in different qualities of sEVs and impact downstream analysis and applications. Here, we compared current isolation methods and performed a comparative analysis of sEVs from supernatant of cultured pancreatic cancer cells. Methods Ultracentrifugation, ultrafiltration and co-precipitation as concentration methods were firstly evaluated for yield, size, morphology and protein level of pellets. Then, isolate sEVs obtained by four different purification methods: size exclusion chromatography, density gradient ultracentrifugation, ultracentrifugation, and immunoaffinity capturing, were analysed and compared. Results For the concentration process, ultracentrifugation method obtained high quality and high concentration of pellets. For the purification process, immunoaffinity capturing method obtained the purest sEVs with less contaminants, while density gradient ultracentrifugation-based method obtained sEVs with the smallest size. Proteomic analysis revealed distinct protein contents of purified sEVs from different methods. Conclusions For isolating sEVs derived from supernatant of cultured pancreatic cancer cell line, ultracentrifugation-based method is recommended for concentration of sEVs, density gradient ultracentrifugation-based method may be applied for obtaining purified sEVs with controlled size, immunoaffinity capturing may be suitable for studies requiring sEVs with high purity but may loss subtypes of sEVs without specific protein marker.

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67 Optimizing a protocol for isolating extracellular vesicles from medium conditioned by bovine embryos in vitro

Reproduction Fertility and Development ◽

10.1071/rdv31n1ab67 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 31 (1) ◽

pp. 159

Author(s):

K. C. Pavani ◽

A. Hendrix ◽

B. Leemans ◽

A. Van Soom

Keyword(s):

Conditioned Medium ◽

Size Exclusion Chromatography ◽

Extracellular Vesicles ◽

Downstream Processing ◽

Size Exclusion ◽

Bovine Embryo ◽

Bovine Embryos ◽

Isolation Method ◽

Exclusion Chromatography

In the absence of the maternal tract, pre-implantation bovine embryos cultured in group are able to promote their own development in vitro by releasing autocrine embryotropins. Recently we have identified extracellular vesicles (EV) among these embryotropins as one of the communication mechanisms among embryos. Extracellular vesicles are nano-sized (25-250nm), with a lipid bilayer, and are functionally active, since they contain proteins, lipids, and nucleic acids, including RNA and miRNA. However, one of the major challenges in isolating EV is an inadequate volume of medium conditioned by bovine embryo. As it requires larger volumes of conditioned medium to isolate EV, our study mainly focused on isolating high yields of functional EV from a minimal volume. There are 3 known isolation methods for EV: differential ultracentrifugation (DU), OptiPrep™ density gradient ultracentrifugation (ODGU), and size-exclusion chromatography (SEC). We have used these 3 protocols to determine the method that yielded the highest number of EV. We used routine in vitro maturation and fertilization methods, but for in vitro culture presumed zygotes were cultured until 8 days post-insemination (dpi) in medium (synthetic oviducal fluid supplemented with insulin, transferrin, selenium, and bovine serum albumin) that was ultracentrifuged to remove any possible contaminating EV. In vitro embryo culture took place in groups of 25 presumed zygotes in 50-mL drops, covered with mineral oil and incubated at 38°C in 5% CO2, 5% O2, and 90% N2. On 8 dpi, medium conditioned by bovine embryo was collected and pooled until 3mL. For each isolation method, 1mL of conditioned medium was used, and next, EV isolated from each isolation method were analysed with nanoparticle tracking, electron microscopy, and Western blot (CD9, Flotillin 1, and AGO 2). We observed higher concentrations (1.03×109 particles mL−1) of EV were isolated from the SEC compared with the other 2 methods (301.5×108 particles mL−1 and 64.5×108 particles mL−1 for DU and ODGU, respectively; P<0.05), whereas smaller size EV (20-50nm) were lost during the ultracentrifugation methods. Besides, it takes only 2h of time to perform size-exclusion chromatography for isolating EV, whereas it takes more than 1 day to perform ultracentrifugation methods. Therefore, we propose to use SEC for further downstream processing and sequencing of miRNA in isolated EV. We are currently focusing on optimizing an EV isolation protocol to extract EV from very low volumes of conditioned medium (less than 500 µL).

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61 Extracellular vesicles from serum in culture media are internalized by bovine embryos produced in vitro

Reproduction Fertility and Development ◽

10.1071/rdv31n1ab61 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 31 (1) ◽

pp. 156 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

B. Melo-Baez ◽

E. Mellisho ◽

L. Rodriguez-Alvarez

Keyword(s):

Early Development ◽

Embryo Development ◽

Extracellular Vesicles ◽

Culture Media ◽

Control Treatment ◽

Bovine Embryo ◽

Embryonic Cells ◽

Long Distance ◽

Protein Sources

Extracellular vesicles (EV) are currently considered a mechanism of cell communication. These are secreted from different cell types, including embryos, to serve as mediators of short and long distance signals. EV can be identified in vivo in different biological fluids, as well as in vitro embryo culture medium. Usually, media used for embryo in vitro culture are supplemented with serum or other protein sources that favour cell proliferation and development. Serum and protein sources contain EV, including microvesicles and exosomes that in principle can be internalized by embryonic cells. The aim of this study was to evaluate if serum-derived EV are internalized by the embryo at different stages of the early development, and if EV from the serum are required for in vitro bovine embryo development. For that, it was first evaluated if EV depleted culture media affect embryo development up to the blastocyst stage; oocytes were in vitro matured for 22 to 23h and in vitro fertilized for 18h. Posteriorly, presumptive zygotes were in vitro cultured in groups (25 embryos/well in 4-well plates) in SOF or SOF depleted of EV for 8 days. To evaluate EV internalization, culture media was supplemented with labelled EV and confocal imaging was performed. The EV were obtained by ultrafiltration (centrifugal filter devices 100 kDa, Amicon; Millipore, Billerica, MA, USA) for 15min at 3000 rpm. Then, EV were stained with PKH67 dye and washed 3 times with PBS by ultrafiltration to remove excess dye. The EV labelled with PKH67 were resuspended in SOFaa depleted of EV (3×109 particles per 500µL) and supplemented for 24h at the 1-cell stage (Day 1 post IVF), 16 cells (Day 4 post IVF), and early blastocyst (Day 6 post IVF) in 5% CO2, 5% O2, and 90% N2. PBS with PKH67 dye was used as a control treatment. Hoechst 33343 was used to label the nuclei before washing with PBS and fixation with 0.4% paraformaldehyde. Images were acquired on a Zeiss (Zeiss, Jena, Germany) LSM 780 confocal microscope. There were no statistical differences on blastocyst rate at Day 8 between embryos cultured in SOF depleted of EV (19.5%) and control group (SOF; 22.7%; P>0.05). We observed punctuated green fluorescence near the embryo nuclei in the 3 stages studied in embryos supplemented with EV but not in the control treatment, which indicates that EV from serum are uptaken by embryonic cells in early development. Therefore, we demonstrated uptake of EV from fetal calf serum added to culture media, although its absence does not affect embryo development. Research was supported by FONDECYT, Chile (1170310).

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The Separation and Characterization of Extracellular Vesicles from Medium Conditioned by Bovine Embryos

International Journal of Molecular Sciences ◽

10.3390/ijms21082942 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 21 (8) ◽

pp. 2942 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

Krishna Chaitanya Pavani ◽

Xiaoyuan Lin ◽

Joachim Hamacher ◽

Wim Van Den Broeck ◽

Liesbeth Couck ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Conditioned Medium ◽

Density Gradient ◽

Extracellular Vesicles ◽

Gradient Centrifugation ◽

High Specificity ◽

Size Exclusion ◽

Bovine Embryo ◽

Characterization Methods ◽

Ribonucleoprotein Complexes ◽

Exclusion Chromatography

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) have been identified as one of the communication mechanisms amongst embryos. They are secreted into the embryo culture medium and, as such, represent a source of novel biomarkers for identifying the quality of cells and embryos. However, only small amounts of embryo-conditioned medium are available, which represents a challenge for EV enrichment. Our aim is to assess the suitability of different EV separation methods to retrieve EVs with high specificity and sufficient efficiency. Bovine embryo-conditioned medium was subjected to differential ultracentrifugation (DU), OptiPrepTM density gradient (ODG) centrifugation, and size exclusion chromatography. Separated EVs were characterized by complementary characterization methods, including Western blot, electron microscopy, and nanoparticle tracking analysis, to assess the efficiency and specificity. OptiPrepTM density gradient centrifugation outperformed DU and SEC in terms of specificity by substantial removal of contaminating proteins such as ribonucleoprotein complexes (Argonaute-2 (AGO-2)) and lipoproteins (ApoA-I) from bovine embryo-derived EVs (density: 1.02–1.04, 1.20–1.23 g/mL, respectively). In conclusion, ODG centrifugation is the preferred method for identifying EV-enriched components and for improving our understanding of EV function in embryo quality and development.

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Effects of different oocyte retrieval and in vitro maturation systems on bovine embryo development and quality

Zygote ◽

10.1017/s0967199413000658 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 23 (3) ◽

pp. 367-377 ◽

Cited By ~ 14

Author(s):

Sandra Milena Bernal ◽

Julia Heinzmann ◽

Doris Herrmann ◽

Bernd Timmermann ◽

Ulrich Baulain ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Gene Expression ◽

Embryo Development ◽

Expression Profiles ◽

Expression Patterns ◽

Developmental Competence ◽

Bovine Embryo ◽

Global Methylation ◽

Oocyte Developmental Competence

SummaryCyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) modulators have been used to avoid spontaneous oocyte maturation and concomitantly improve oocyte developmental competence. The current work evaluated the effects of the addition of cAMP modulators forskolin, 3-isobutyl-1-methylxanthine (IBMX) and cilostamide during in vitro maturation on the quality and yields of blastocysts. The following experimental groups were evaluated: (i) slicing or (ii) aspiration and maturation in tissue culture medium (TCM)199 for 24 h (TCM24slicing and TCM24aspiration, respectively), (iii) aspiration and maturation in the presence of cAMP modulators for 30 h (cAMP30aspiration) and in vivo-produced blastocysts. In vitro-matured oocytes were fertilized and presumptive zygotes were cultured in vitro to assess embryo development. Cleavage, blastocyst formation, blastocyst cell number, mRNA abundance of selected genes and global methylation profiles were evaluated. Blastocyst rate/zygotes for the TCM24aspiration protocol was improved (32.2 ± 2.1%) compared with TCM24slicing and cAMP30aspiration (23.4 ± 1.2% and 23.3 ± 2.0%, respectively, P<0.05). No statistical differences were found for blastocyst cell numbers. The mRNA expression for the EGR1 gene was down-regulated eight-fold in blastocysts that had been produced in vitro compared with their in vivo counterparts. Gene expression profiles for IGF2R, SLC2A8, COX2, DNMT3B and PCK2 did not differ among experimental groups. Bovine testis satellite I and Bos taurus alpha satellite methylation profiles from cAMP30aspiration protocol-derived blastocysts were similar to patterns that were observed in their in vivo equivalents (P > 0.05), while those from the other groups were significantly elevated. It is concluded that retrieval, collection systems and addition of cAMP modulators can affect oocyte developmental competence, which is reflected not only in blastocyst rates but also in global DNA methylation and gene expression patterns.

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Inverse relationship between autophagy and CTSK is related to bovine embryo quality

Reproduction ◽

10.1530/rep-20-0036 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 159 (6) ◽

pp. 757-766

Author(s):

Ahmed Z Balboula ◽

Mansour Aboelenain ◽

Jianye Li ◽

Hanako Bai ◽

Manabu Kawahara ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Embryo Development ◽

Embryo Quality ◽

Cell Number ◽

Poor Quality ◽

Developmental Competence ◽

Protective Mechanism ◽

Bovine Embryo ◽

Preimplantation Embryo Development ◽

Autophagic Activity

Improving the quality and the developmental competence of in vitro produced (IVP) embryos is an indispensable goal for assisted reproductive technology. Autophagy is a major protective mechanism for intracellular degradation of unnecessary cytoplasmic components. Autophagy ends by the fusion between autophagic vacuoles and lysosomes, allowing the degradation of the cargo by lysosomal enzymes, especially the cathepsins (CTSs). However, it is still unclear how autophagy and cathepsin K (CTSK) relate to embryo development. This study evaluated (1.) the activities of autophagy and CTSK in relation to bovine embryo quality and (2.) the effect of autophagy induction and/or CTSK inhibition on preimplantation embryo development and quality. We show here that good-quality embryos exhibited a greater autophagic activity and less CTSK activity compared to poor-quality embryos. Blastomeres of an individual embryo may vary in their quality. Good quality blastomeres showed an increased autophagic activity and decreased CTSK activity compared to poor-quality blastomeres within the same embryo at different developmental stages. Importantly, induction of autophagy and/or inhibition of CTSK improved the developmental rate (increased blastocyst and hatching rates) and the quality (increased total cell number and decreased the percentage of apoptotic cells) of IVP bovine embryos. These results demonstrate a promising approach to selectively isolate good-quality embryos and improve the efficiency of IVEP of cattle embryos.

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