Minimal information for studies of extracellular vesicles (MISEV2023): From basic to advanced approaches

Extracellular vesicles of Limosilactobacillus fermentum SLAM216 ameliorate skin symptoms of atopic dermatitis by regulating gut microbiome on serotonin metabolism

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a globally prevalent chronic inflammatory skin disorder. Its pathogenesis remains incompletely understood, resulting in considerable therapeutic challenges. Recent studies have highlighted the significance of the interaction between AD and gut microbiome. In this study, we investigated the effects of probiotic-derived extracellular vesicles on AD. Initially, we isolated and characterized extracellular vesicles from Limosilactobacillus fermentum SLAM 216 (LF216EV) and characterized their composition through multi-omics analysis. Gene ontology (GO) and pathway analysis classified LF216EV proteins into biological processes, molecular functions, and cellular components. Importantly, specific abundance in linoleic, oleic, palmitic, sebacic, and stearic acids indicating upregulated fatty acid metabolism were observed by metabolomic analysis. Furthermore, featured lipid profiling including AcylGlcADG and ceramide were observed in LF216EV. Importantly, in an atopic dermatitis-like cell model induced by TNFα/IFNγ, LF216EV significantly modulated the expression of immune regulatory genes (TSLP, TNFα, IL-6, IL-1β, and MDC), indicating its potential functionality in atopic dermatitis. LF216EV alleviated AD-like phenotypes, such as redness, scaling/dryness, and excoriation, induced by DNCB. Histopathological analysis revealed that LF216EV decreased epidermal thickness and mast cell infiltration in the dermis. Furthermore, LF216EV administration reduced mouse scratching and depression-related behaviors, with a faster onset than the classical treatment with dexamethasone. In the quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) analysis, we observed a significant increase in the expression levels of htrb2c, sert, and tph-1, genes associated with serotonin, in the skin and gut of the LF216EV-treated group, along with a significant increase in the total serum serotonin levels. Gut microbiome analysis of the LF216EV-treated group revealed an altered gut microbiota profile. Correlation analysis revealed that the genera Limosilactobacillus and Desulfovibrio were associated with differences in the intestinal metabolites, including serotonin. Our findings demonstrate that LF216EV mitigates AD-like symptoms by promoting serotonin synthesis through the modulation of gut microbiota and metabolome composition.

Exosomes originating from neural stem cells undergoing necroptosis participate in cellular communication by inducing TSC2 upregulation of recipient cells following spinal cord injury

JOURNAL/nrgr/04.03/01300535-202511000-00030/figure1/v/2024-12-20T164640Z/r/image-tiff We previously demonstrated that inhibiting neural stem cells necroptosis enhances functional recovery after spinal cord injury. While exosomes are recognized as playing a pivotal role in neural stem cells exocrine function, their precise function in spinal cord injury remains unclear. To investigate the role of exosomes generated following neural stem cells necroptosis after spinal cord injury, we conducted single-cell RNA sequencing and validated that neural stem cells originate from ependymal cells and undergo necroptosis in response to spinal cord injury. Subsequently, we established an in vitro necroptosis model using neural stem cells isolated from embryonic mice aged 16-17 days and extracted exosomes. The results showed that necroptosis did not significantly impact the fundamental characteristics or number of exosomes. Transcriptome sequencing of exosomes in necroptosis group identified 108 differentially expressed messenger RNAs, 104 long non-coding RNAs, 720 circular RNAs, and 14 microRNAs compared with the control group. Construction of a competing endogenous RNA network identified the following hub genes: tuberous sclerosis 2 ( Tsc2 ), solute carrier family 16 member 3 ( Slc16a3 ), and forkhead box protein P1 ( Foxp1 ). Notably, a significant elevation in TSC2 expression was observed in spinal cord tissues following spinal cord injury. TSC2-positive cells were localized around SRY-box transcription factor 2-positive cells within the injury zone. Furthermore, in vitro analysis revealed increased TSC2 expression in exosomal receptor cells compared with other cells. Further assessment of cellular communication following spinal cord injury showed that Tsc2 was involved in ependymal cellular communication at 1 and 3 days post-injury through the epidermal growth factor and midkine signaling pathways. In addition, Slc16a3 participated in cellular communication in ependymal cells at 7 days post-injury via the vascular endothelial growth factor and macrophage migration inhibitory factor signaling pathways. Collectively, these findings confirm that exosomes derived from neural stem cells undergoing necroptosis play an important role in cellular communication after spinal cord injury and induce TSC2 upregulation in recipient cells.

Utilizing engineered extracellular vesicles as delivery vectors in the management of ischemic stroke: a special outlook on mitochondrial delivery

Ischemic stroke is a secondary cause of mortality worldwide, imposing considerable medical and economic burdens on society. Extracellular vesicles, serving as natural nano-carriers for drug delivery, exhibit excellent biocompatibility in vivo and have significant advantages in the management of ischemic stroke. However, the uncertain distribution and rapid clearance of extracellular vesicles impede their delivery efficiency. By utilizing membrane decoration or by encapsulating therapeutic cargo within extracellular vesicles, their delivery efficacy may be greatly improved. Furthermore, previous studies have indicated that microvesicles, a subset of large-sized extracellular vesicles, can transport mitochondria to neighboring cells, thereby aiding in the restoration of mitochondrial function post-ischemic stroke. Small extracellular vesicles have also demonstrated the capability to transfer mitochondrial components, such as proteins or deoxyribonucleic acid, or their sub-components, for extracellular vesicle-based ischemic stroke therapy. In this review, we undertake a comparative analysis of the isolation techniques employed for extracellular vesicles and present an overview of the current dominant extracellular vesicle modification methodologies. Given the complex facets of treating ischemic stroke, we also delineate various extracellular vesicle modification approaches which are suited to different facets of the treatment process. Moreover, given the burgeoning interest in mitochondrial delivery, we delved into the feasibility and existing research findings on the transportation of mitochondrial fractions or intact mitochondria through small extracellular vesicles and microvesicles to offer a fresh perspective on ischemic stroke therapy.

Nebulized M2 macrophage-derived nanovesicles for the treatment of explosion-induced acute lung injury

Gas explosion-induced acute lung injury (ALI) presents a significant clinical challenge in industrial and military contexts, yet current therapeutic interventions remain suboptimal. Extracellular vesicles (EVs) have emerged as promising nanoscale therapeutic agents, owing to their superior biocompatibility and inherent therapeutic potential. In this study, we engineered and isolated alternatively activated macrophages extracellular vesicles (M2-EVs) and administered them via nebulization to the injured lung tissue in an established murine model of blast-induced ALI. Administration of M2-EVs led to a significant amelioration of pulmonary function, characterized by decreased lung injury scores and attenuated inflammatory markers. Mechanistically, M2-EVs promoted the M1-to-M2 phenotypic transition of pulmonary macrophages, modulated the P62-Keap1-Nrf2 signaling pathway, and consequently mitigated excessive autophagy and oxidative stress. Collectively, these findings not only offer mechanistic insights into the pathogenesis of blast-induced ALI but also highlight M2-EVs as a promising cell-free therapeutic approach for explosion-related pulmonary injuries.

Hierarchical protein nano-crystalline hydrogel with extracellular vesicles for ectopic lymphoid structure formation

Among cancer therapies, immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) has emerged as a prominent approach, substantially enhancing anti-tumor immune responses. However, the efficacy of ICB is often limited in the absence of a pre-existing immune response within the tumor microenvironment. Here, we introduce a novel hierarchical protein hydrogel platform designed to facilitate the formation of artificial tertiary lymphoid structures (aTLS), thereby improving ICB efficacy. Through the integration of self-assembling ferritin protein nanocages, rec1-resilin protein, and CP05 peptide, our hierarchical hydrogels provide a structurally supportive and functionally adaptive scaffold capable of on-demand self-repair in response to mild thermal treatments. The effective encapsulation of extracellular vesicles (EVs) via the CP05 peptide ensures the formation of aTLS with germinal center-like structures within the hierarchical hydrogel. We demonstrate that, combined with ICB therapy, EV-loaded hierarchical hydrogels also induce the TLS within the tumor, markedly promoting immune responses against ICB-resistant tumor. This bioactive hydrogel platform offers a versatile tool for enhancing a broad range of immunotherapies, with potential applications extending beyond TLS to other frameworks that support complex tissue architectures.

Exploring breast cancer-related biochemical changes in circulating extracellular vesicles using Raman spectroscopy

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are a subgroup of the circulating particles, released by cells in both normal and diseased states, carrying active biomolecules. They have gained significant attention as potential cancer biomarkers, particularly in breast cancer (BC). Previous research showed variations in EVs content and quantity between BC patients and healthy controls (HC). However, studying the biochemical profile of EVs remains challenging due to their low abundance and complex composition. Additionally, EVs may interact with other plasma components, like lipoproteins (LPs), forming a so called "biomolecular corona" that further complicates their analysis. Here, Raman spectroscopy (RS) is proposed as a fast tool to obtain the biochemical profile of circulating EVs in the context of BC. RS was employed to differentiate various extracellular particles (EPs) in blood, including LPs and EVs. The study also evaluated RS's capability to quantify major classes of biomolecules and compared these results with those obtained by traditional biochemical assays. Finally, compositional differences in large EVs (lEVs) and small EVs (sEVs) were assessed between HC and BC patients. RS revealed the existence of distinct biochemical signatures associated with BC, highlighting increased levels of nucleic acids and lipids in the BC group.

The RNA content of extracellular vesicles from gene-edited PRPF31 +/- hiPSC-RPE show potential as biomarkers of retinal degeneration

Retinitis pigmentosa (RP) is the most common inherited retinal degeneration (IRD), causing vision loss via the dysfunction and death of photoreceptors and retinal pigment epithelium (RPE). Mutations in the PRPF31 gene are associated with autosomal dominant RP, impairing RPE function. While adeno-associated virus (AAV)-mediated gene therapy shows promise for treating IRDs, the slow progression of these diseases often makes timely measurement of clinical efficacy challenging. Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are lipid enclosed vesicles secreted by cells, and their RNA contents are being explored as circulating biomarkers for other diseases. We hypothesize that EV RNAs could serve as biomarkers of the health status of the neural retina and RPE. To test this, we used PRPF31 +/+ and PRPF31 +/- human induced pluripotent stem cell (hiPSC)-derived RPE (hi-RPE) to investigate the RNAs contained in RPE-derived EVs and how they change in disease. We also compared the RNA contents of RPE-EVs with the RNAs of the hi-RPE cells themselves. We found that EVs from mutant PRPF31 hi-RPE cells have distinct RNA profiles compared to those from control cells, suggesting that EV RNA contents change during disease. Additionally, we identified 18 miRNAs and 865 poly(A) RNAs enriched in EVs from PRPF31 +/- hi-RPE, which could serve as biomarkers for RPE degeneration.

Minimum information for studies of extracellular vesicles (MISEV) as toolbox for rigorous, reproducible and homogeneous studies on extracellular vesicles

Studies based on extracellular vesicles (EVs) have been multiplying exponentially for almost two decades, since they were first identified as vectors of cell-cell communication. However, several of these studies display a lack of rigor in EVs characterization and isolation, without discriminating between the different EV populations, thus generating conflicting and unreproducible results. There is therefore a strong need for standardization and guidelines to conduct studies that are rigorous, transparent, reproducible and comply with certain nomenclatures concerning the type of EVs used. The International Society for Extracellular Vesicles (ISEV) published the Minimum Information for Studies of Extracellular Vesicles (MISEV) in 2014, updating it in 2018 and 2023 to reflect different study contexts and technical advancements. The primary objective of this review is to inform future authors about EVs, including their history, nomenclature, and technical recommendations for the for isolation and functionality analysis for conducing EV-based studies according to current standards. Additionally, it aims to inform reviewers about the key parameters required for characterizing EV preparations.

Macrophages-derived small extracellular vesicles regulate chondrocyte proliferation and affect osteoarthritis progression via upregulating Osteopontin expression

Small extracellular vesicles (sEVs) are considered promising gene-delivery vehicles for the treatment of osteoarthritis (OA). This study aimed to explore the molecular mechanism by which M2 macrophage-derived sEVs (M2-sEVs) modulate chondrocyte proliferation and apoptosis, thereby affecting OA progression. M2 macrophages were successfully induced, and M2-sEVs were successfully isolated. The sEVs were small vesicles with diameters ranging from 50 to 150 nm. The exosomal markers, including CD9, CD63, and CD81, were highly expressed, whereas the negative marker calnexin was absent in M2-sEVs. M2-sEVs effectively alleviated OA tissue and chondrocyte damage in both in vivo and in vitro models, evidenced by reduced rat knee joint injury, increased chondrocyte viability, and decreased chondrocyte apoptosis and extracellular matrix (ECM) degradation. Furthermore, M2-sEVs decreased the levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-6 and TNF-α. Osteopontin (OPN) was upregulated within rats with OA and IL-1β-induced chondrocytes. Silencing of OPN exacerbated IL-1β-induced chondrocyte damage and partially abrogated the therapeutic effects of M2-sEVs. Additionally, M2-sEVs enhanced OPN expression and activated CD44 and the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway. In conclusion, M2-sEVs promoted OPN expression to improve knee joint tissue damage in rats with OA and chondrocyte damage. This protective effect of M2-sEVs might be associated with the activation of CD44 and the PI3K/AKT signaling.

Dynamic characteristics of metabolism and small extracellular vesicles during malignant transformation of BEAS-2B cells induced by coal tar pitch extract

Lung cancer poses a significant global burden with rising morbidity and mortality. Coal tar pitch-induced lung cancer is an occupational disease where early detection is crucial but challenging due to unclear pathogenesis. We established a malignant transformation model using BEAS-2B cells treated with coal tar pitch extract (CTPE). Macro- and micro-observations showed CTPE-induced alterations, including changes in cell morphology, enhanced proliferation and migration abilities, upregulated EGFR expression, modified levels of CYP1A1 and GSTM1 metabolizing enzymes, and a transition towards a mesenchymal phenotype. These findings strongly suggest that the cells have undergone malignant transformation. Metabolomics analysis revealed changes in 1120 metabolites, with 31 co-expressed, mainly in energy and amino acid metabolism. Small extracellular vesicles (SEVs) concentrations and EGFR levels were significantly altered. Correlation analysis identified a relationship between these biomarkers, implying their potential significance as early events in the initiation and progression of lung cancer. These findings provide valuable insights and a rationale for lung cancer screening and mechanistic investigations, thereby contributing to a deeper understanding of the disease.

Machine learning-assisted washing-free detection of extracellular vesicles by target recycling amplification based fluorescent aptasensor for accurate diagnosis of gastric cancer

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are promising non-invasive biomarkers for cancer diagnosis. EVs proteins play a critical role in tumor progress and metastasis. However, accurately and reliably diagnosing cancers is greatly limited by single protein marker on EVs. Here, we reported an accurate diagnosis model of gastric cancer by analyzing five types of EVs surface proteins using machine learning in a retrospective study design. A washing-free detection method based on aptasensor and exonuclease Ⅰ was used to profile EVs surface proteins. The aptamer was designed as hairpin structure. The presence of target protein positive EVs converted the conformation of hairpin probes, which subsequently degraded by exonuclease Ⅰ. The exposed target protein could bind with and then open new hairpin probes, thus forming an amplification cycle. The lengths of different detection probes were optimized for detection. With the combination of five target proteins, five machine learning algorithms were compared to achieve a higher diagnostic accuracy. The best model, XGBoost, validated with 20 % of detection results could reach an accuracy of 0.8421. Furthermore, the XGBoost-based surface protein analysis could precisely identify gastric cancer patients with the area under the curve value of 0.9347 (95 % confidential interval (CI) = 0.8590 to 1.000). Since our method utilized a simple and versatile design of detection probes, its diagnostic scope could potentially be expanded to include different protein markers and accurately diagnose other diseases in the future.

Engineered dendritic cells-derived extracellular vesicles for cancer immunotherapy

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) have emerged as a cell-free therapeutic approach, garnering increasing attention for their potential to enhance the safety and efficacy of immunotherapy. This interest is primarily driven by the biocompatibility and cell/tissue tropism inherent to EVs, but also due to their reconfigurable content. This, termed as cargo, may comprise bioactive molecules as proteins, lipids, and nucleic acids that play a pivotal role in mediating intercellular communication. In particular, dendritic cells-derived extracellular vesicles (DC-EVs) facilitate the transfer of critical components, like antigens and immune-regulatory factors, and due to the expression of major histocompatibility complexes and co-stimulatory molecules on their surface can activate T cells, thereby modulating the immune response. Additionally, DC-EVs can be engineered to transport tumor-specific antigens, cytokines, or other agents in order to strength their immunotherapeutic potential, and even be used in vaccines formulation. In this review, the latest advancements in engineering DC-EVs to improve their immunotherapeutic potential is discussed in detail, while also addressing current challenges associated with DC-EVs therapies.

Microneedle-mediated hypoxic extracellular vesicle-encapsulated selenium nanoparticles delivery to treat androgenetic alopecia

Androgenetic alopecia (AGA) is the most common type of hair loss, and there is a lack of ideal treatment options. The damage and shedding of hair follicles are closely associated with niche dysregulation, including reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulation, microvascular damage, and persistent inflammation. In this study, a biocomposite microneedle system comprising hypoxic extracellular vesicle (EV)-encapsulated selenium nanozyme (Se-HEVs-AMN) was designed to create a favorable perifollicular microenvironment. The novel Se-HEVs-AMN biocomposite patch features microneedles with sufficient mechanical strength, tailored dissolution properties, and a convenient detachable backing layer. The microneedles are modified with Astragalus polysaccharide (APS) and loaded with hypoxia-induced EVs containing selenium nanozyme. When applied to the dorsal skin of AGA mice, the microneedles rapidly dissolve, releasing active ingredients that increase hair density and enlarge hair follicle diameter through regulating inflammation, promoting angiogenesis, scavenging ROS, and resisting androgen.

Exosomal delivery of rapamycin modulates blood-brain barrier penetration and VEGF axis in glioblastoma

Exosomes (Exos), nanosized membranous vesicles (30-160 nm), have been validated as an effective drug delivery system capable of traversing biological barriers. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), due to their near-limitless self-renewal capabilities, provide a plentiful source of exosomes for clinical applications. In this study, we utilized an exosome-encapsulated rapamycin (Exo-Rapa) delivery strategy, which permits the use of smaller drug dosages to achieve effects typically seen with higher dosages, thus enhancing drug efficacy. Moreover, Exos can transport pharmaceuticals across the blood-brain barrier (BBB) to the brain, and further penetrate GL261 cells to exert their effects. Within the tumor microenvironment, Exo-Rapa is released more rapidly and efficiently at the tumor site. The acidic conditions in tumors accelerate the release of Exo-Rapa, a characteristic that may make it a promising targeted therapeutic in future cancer research. Additionally, a series of in vivo experiments have further demonstrated the permeability of Exo-Rapa across the BBB, enabling it to accumulate at tumor sites; it also ameliorates inflammatory responses in Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) mouse models and enhances anti-tumor activity through the regulation of angiogenesis via the VEGF/VEGFRs axis. Our results indicate that MSC-derived exosomes are a potent therapeutic carrier for GBM, offering an effective strategy for enhancing drug delivery across the BBB and providing a scientific foundation for the use of exosomes in the treatment of GBM and other diseases.

Size exclusion chromatography: An efficient tool for hsEV isolation from insect Haemolymph

Extracellular vesicles (EV) serve an important role in biological system as they can change the phenotype and function of the cell. The discovery of EVs has led to the development of novel vaccines, associated with immunosuppressive and immunostimulatory effects during disease progression. To address the opportunities in EVs, here we used insect as model system. The insect also has medicinal properties as it produces antimicrobial peptides which are found circulating fluid called as hemolymph. Hemolymph consists of defensins, gloverins, proline-rich peptides, attacins, cecropins, moricins, anionic antimicrobial peptides, and several other components that create robust defense mechanisms against a broad spectrum of pathogens. Here, the insect hemolymph was used for EV isolation which encapsulates such kinds of proteins and acts as cargo transporters. As the biogenesis was unknown, we have defined it as hemolymph-derived small extracellular vesicles (hsEV). The present paper deals with the appropriate methodology for the isolation of hsEV. The hemolymph was processed for isolation via size exclusion chromatography. Molecular and physical characterization was performed using western blotting utilizing anti-CD63, anti-Flotillin-2, TEM, FESEM, confocal microscopy, and DLS. The isolated hsEV was used to assess the antibacterial property by measuring bacterial growth.

Exosomes in infectious diseases: insights into leishmaniasis pathogenesis, immune modulation, and therapeutic potential

Leishmaniasis continues to be a critical international health issue due to the scarcity of efficient treatment and the development of drug tolerance. New developments in the research of extracellular vesicles (EVs), especially exosomes, have revealed novel disease management approaches. Exosomes are small vesicles that transport lipids, nucleic acids, and proteins in cell signalling. Its biogenesis depends on several cellular processes, and their functions in immune response, encompassing innate and adaptive immunity, underline their function in the pathogen-host interface. Exosomes play a significant role in the pathogenesis of some parasitic infections, especially Leishmaniasis, by helping parasites escape host immunity and promote disease progression. This article explains that in the framework of parasitic diseases, exosomes can act as master regulators that define the pathogenesis of the disease, as illustrated by the engagement of exosomes in the Leishmaniasis parasite and immune escape processes. Based on many published articles on Leishmaniasis, this review aims to summarize the biogenesis of exosomes, the properties of the cargo in exosomes, and the modulation of immune responses. We delve deeper into the prospect of using exosomes for the therapy of Leishmaniasis based on the possibility of using these extracellular vesicles for drug delivery and as diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers. Lastly, we focus on the recent research perspectives and future developments, underlining the necessity to continue the investigation of exosome-mediated approaches in Leishmaniasis treatment. Thus, this review intends to draw attention to exosomes as a bright new perspective in the battle against this disabling affliction.

Erythrocyte membrane vesicles as drug delivery systems: A systematic review of preclinical studies on biodistribution and pharmacokinetics

This systematic review aims to summarize the development of erythrocyte membrane vesicles (EMVs) as drug delivery carriers, with a focus on elucidating their fate in terms of biodistribution and pharmacokinetics in preclinical studies. The PubMed database was systematically reviewed to search for original peer-reviewed published studies on the use of EMVs for drug delivery to summarize the preclinical findings, following the PRISMA guidelines. A total of 142 articles matched the selection criteria and were included in the review. For each study, the following parameters were extracted: type of active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) encapsulated into EMVs, EMVs-API formulation method and final particle size, EMVs surface modifications for active targeting, cell lines and animal models used in the study, crucial treatment data, biodistribution data and finally, where applicable, data about the EMVs circulation time and blood half-life. EMVs size did not vary significantly among the different formulation methods. A complete list of cell lines and animal models used is provided. Circulation times and data for blood half-life were grouped per animal type. For the most commonly used animal type, BALB/c mice, the average half-life of EMV-API was calculated to be 10.4 h, and in all cases, up to a 10-fold increase was observed compared with that of free API. Surface modifications did not drastically change the circulation time but did improve target tissue accumulation. The most critical weaknesses in the analysed studies were identified. Key points for future studies are provided to fill the current knowledge gaps and improve the quality of publications.

Unraveling extracellular vesicle DNA: Biogenesis, functions, and clinical implications

Extracellular Vesicles (EVs) have emerged as essential carriers of molecular biomarkers and mediators of intercellular communication. While previous studies have predominantly focused on EV proteins, lipids, and RNA, the role of EV-derived DNA (EV-DNA) remains relatively unexplored. Understanding EV-DNA is crucial, given its association with nearly all EV populations. This review aims to comprehensively summarize existing EV-DNA research, emphasizing its functional significance and potential as a disease biomarker. By bridging the gap in our understanding, we shed light on the origins, structure, localization, and distribution of EV-DNA. We analyze a wide range of studies, investigating EV-DNA across various pathological conditions. Our review encompasses experimental methods, theoretical approaches, and clinical observations, providing a holistic view of EV-DNA research. We discuss the biogenesis mechanisms of different EV subtypes, the available isolation methods for these subtypes, and consider their origins and variability under different conditions. EV-DNA exhibits remarkable stability and reflects genomic alterations, making it a promising candidate for liquid biopsy applications. From cancer diagnostics to treatment monitoring, EV-DNA holds significant potential. The findings underscore the importance of EV-DNA as an innovative biomarker. As research continues, EV-DNA may revolutionize disease detection, prognosis, and therapeutic strategies.

Plant-derived nanovesicles and therapeutic application

Plant-derived nanovesicles (PDNVs) are becoming more popular as promising therapeutic tools owing to their diversity, cost-effectiveness, and biocompatibility with very low toxicity. Therefore, this review aims to discuss the methods for isolating and characterizing PDNVs and emphasize their versatile roles in direct therapeutic applications and drug delivery systems. Their ability to effectively encapsulate and deliver large nucleic acids, proteins, and small-molecule drugs was highlighted. Moreover, advanced engineering strategies, such as surface modification and fusion with other vesicles, have been developed to enhance the therapeutic effects of PDNVs. Additionally, we describe key challenges related to this field, encouraging further research to optimize PDNVs for various clinical applications for prevention and therapeutic purposes. The distinctive properties and diverse applications of PDNVs could play a crucial role in the future of personalized medicine, fostering the development of innovative therapeutic strategies.

Dual-target magneto-immunoassay with bifunctional nanohybrids for breast cancer exosome detection

Exosomes, crucial for intercellular communication, hold potential as noninvasive liquid biopsy biomarkers especially in early breast cancer detection benefitted from the distinctive "cancer signature" on their membrane surface. Yet, the present methodologies of exosomes for breast cancer detection have involved the implementation of only a single member from the tetraspanin protein group as a biomarker. Moreso, due to the high concentration of exosomes in complex body fluids, there is a compelling need to measure a small concentration of cancer-derived exosomes with a low background noise signal. In this study, we designed and characterized magnetic core-gold shell nanohybrids (mAuNHs) that function as detection and isolator probes, which were integrated in a simple colorimetric sandwich magneto-immunoassay (mLISA). The magnetic core of mAuNHs facilitates the separation of exosomes from complex samples of biological origin whereby amorphous structures were effectively removed, decreasing background signal. Meanwhile, the coalescence effect of pairing biologically abundance exosomal marker (CD9 antibody) with the cancer specific (CD24 antibody) offers a highly selective and sensitive detection of our target model, MCF7 exosomes. As a result, using our mLISA system, exosomes derived from MCF7 can be selectively recognized from other tested cancer cell lines, BT474 and PC3. Besides, as low as 37 particles/μL of limit of detection (LOD) was achieved using mLISA sensor, exhibiting a good sensitivity as compared to conventional ELISA. Overall, our proposed dual-target biosensor offers a great reduction on background noise from samples, simplicity for users as in exosome's lengthy preparation is reduced as well as good sensitivity.

Proteomics analysis of extracellular vesicles during Vibrio anguillarum infection in lumpfish (Cyclopterus lumpus)

Lumpfish (Cyclopterus lumpus) is a native fish of the North Atlantic Ocean used as sea lice biocontrol in Atlantic salmon farms. Lumpfish also has been used as model for marine infectious diseases and immunity. Lumpfish is susceptible to Vibrio anguillarum infection, and upon infection, lumpfish immunity is activated to preclude the disease progression. Extracellular vesicles (EVs) play an important role in early immune cellular communication. Lumpfish EVs and their potential role in immunity have not been explored. Herein, EVs where isolated from serum of naïve lumpfish and from lumpfish infected with V. anguillarum at 5 and 10 days post infection (dpi). EVs characteristics were studied by electron microscopy and nanoparticle tracking, and protein cargo was analysed by Western blot and proteomic analysis. The isolated EVs showed a spherical shape ranging from ∼30 nm to 300 nm in diameter, but at 5 dpi the size variation was higher. A total of 395 proteins were identified. Upregulated proteins were linked to complement pathway/innate immunity, heme/iron binding, defense response to bacterium, apoptotic signaling pathway, and actin binding. Downregulated proteins were associated with ribonucleoprotein/ribosomal protein, transport and translation elongation factor activity, acute phase, protein phosphorylation and apoptotic process. Upon infection V. anguillarum infection, lumpfish EVs cargo was modified, from transporting metabolic proteins to proteins related to immunity. Characterization of peripheral lumpfish EVs protein profile during V. anguillarum infection provided with potential biomarkers repertoire that could be utilised in the development of novel tools to diagnose and control of V. anguillarum infection in finfish aquaculture.

Extracellular vesicles as source of biomarkers in hematological malignancies: looking towards clinical applications

INTRODUCTION

Extracellular vesicles are membranous particles released by cells in physiological and pathological conditions. Their cargo is heterogeneous since it includes different biomolecules such as nucleic acids and proteins. Oncogenic alterations affect the composition of extracellular vesicles and model their content during cancer evolution.

AREAS COVERED

This review provides an overview of the studies focused on extracellular vesicles as source of biomarkers in hematological malignancies. A special insight into extracellular vesicles-derived biomarkers as tools for evaluating the prognosis of hematological malignancies and their response to treatment is given.

EXPERT OPINION

Extracellular vesicles are a valuable source of biomarkers in hematological malignancies. However, the translation from the bench to the bedside is challenged by the lack of standardization of the preanalytical variables of the experimental workflow. The release of standard operating procedures and the validation of the extracellular vesicles-derived biomarkers in large cohort of patients will help in exploiting the potential of extracellular vesicles in the clinical setting.

High-Throughput Extracellular Vesicle Isolation Using Plate-Based Size Exclusion Chromatography and Automation

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are natural, cell-derived nanoparticles released into biofluids, such as plasma, and hold great potential as a new class of biomarkers. However, the utility of analyzing EVs in clinical samples has been hampered by a lack of suitable EV isolation methods that can be performed reproducibly in a scalable manner. The current method of choice for isolating EVs, size exclusion chromatography (SEC), is performed manually one column at a time, and thus does not have the throughput for isolating EVs from clinical samples. In this work, we adapt SEC to a plate-based format to increase its throughput. We show that SEC can be performed using plates containing frits packed with resin, where each well of a 24-well plate can be used for a different sample. By measuring EV markers CD63 and CD81, as well as Albumin as a representative free protein, we optimize the separation of EVs from free proteins in the 24-well format. We also demonstrate that performing SEC in these plates can be automated using liquid handling platforms with the use of custom adapters. We quantify the high reproducibility of this automated platform and then apply the platform to analyze the tetraspanins CD63 and CD81 across individuals. Our work represents a solution to the long-standing challenge in the EV biomarker field of reproducible high-throughput EV isolation from plasma and other biofluids. We envision that the automated methods we have developed will scale SEC to hundreds of samples per day, enabling the use of EVs for biomarker discovery and diagnostics.

Integration of Macrogenomics and Metabolomics: Comprehensive Insights into the Effects of In Vitro Fermentation with Human Milk Exosomes on Infant Gut Microbiota

The role of human milk exosomes (HMEs) in maintaining infant intestinal health has attracted considerable attention, yet the mechanisms by which they regulate the infant gut microbiota remain to be elucidated. In this study, we constructed an in vitro fermentation model, combined with macrogenomics and nontargeted metabolomics technologies, to deeply analyze the effects of HMEs on the composition of intestinal microorganisms, the expression of functional genes, and the production of metabolites. It showed that HMEs significantly reduced the potential pathogenic bacteria like Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Dysgonomonas capnocytophagoides, and Shigella flexneri, but increased Bacteroides fragilis and Bifidobacterium pseudocatenulatum. Moreover, HMEs promote key metabolic pathways including propionate and butyrate metabolism, glycolysis/glycogenesis, and amino acid metabolism. Consequently, beneficial intestinal metabolites such as short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), amino acids, indoles, and secondary bile acids were elevated. It is speculated that HMEs may act as key signaling molecules or regulators to improve infant gut microecology.

Affinity enrichment of placental extracellular vesicles from minimally processed maternal plasma with magnetic nanowires

Affinity based enrichment of cell/tissue specific extracellular vesicles (EVs) with magnetic materials and analysis of their molecular cargo has the potential to improve assay sensitivity/specificity compared to whole plasma analysis. For example, syncytiotrophoblast EVs (STBEVs) shed from the placenta during pregnancy carry placental diagnostic markers relevant to pregnancy complications linked to placental insufficiency such as placental alkaline phosphatase (PLAP), Neprilysin (NEP) and Placental Protein 13 (PP13). However, the need for sample pre-enrichment of EVs from plasma adds significant complexity, time and cost. We report an affinity-based cell/tissue specific EV enrichment direct from plasma based on iron-oxide magnetic nanowires (NWs) coated with reversible-addition-fragmentation-chain-transfer (RAFT) polymers and conjugated with anti-PLAP antibodies. As anticipated the complex protein environment of minimally processed plasma significantly decreased STBEV enrichment yield. However, an optimized RAFT polymeric coating successfully mitigated the detrimental effect of the protein corona, yielding significantly improved STBEV recovery compared to Dynabeads™ in unenriched diluted plasma. Despite the presence of significant soluble PLAP protein, STBEV enrichment could be performed directly from the plasma of pregnant women (including preeclamptic samples) within 1.5 hours, enabling quantification of two placental protein markers PP13 and NEP with known diagnostic relevance to preeclampsia. Direct affinity-enrichment of STBEVs with high performance magnetic materials has the potential to underpin rapid clinical diagnostic assays for preeclampsia and related pregnancy complications.

Separation and Detection of Charged Unilamellar Vesicles in Vacuum by a Frequency-Controlled Quadrupole Mass Sensor

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are membranous particles released by cells and are considered to be promising sources of biomarkers for various diseases. Mass spectrometry (MS) analysis of EVs requires a sample of purified and detergent-lysed EVs. Purification of EVs is laborious, based on size, density, or surface nature, and requires large amounts of the source material (e.g., blood, spinal fluid). We have employed synthetically produced large unilamellar lipid vesicles (LUVs) as analogs of EVs to demonstrate an alternative approach to vesicle separation for subsequent mass spectrometry analysis of their composition. Mass-to-charge ratio m/z separation by frequency-controlled quadrupole was employed to filter narrow-size distributions of LUVs from a water sample. Lipid vesicles were positively charged with nanoelectrospray and transferred into a vacuum using two wide m/z-range frequency-controlled quadrupoles. The m/z, charges, and masses of individual vesicles were obtained by the nondestructive single-pass charge detector. The resolving mode of the second quadrupole with m/z RSD < 10% allowed to separate size selected distributions of vesicles with modal diameters of 88, 112, 130, 162, and 190 nm at corresponding quadrupole m/z settings of 2.5 × 105, 5 × 105, 8 × 105, 1.5 × 106, and 2.5 × 106, respectively with a rate of 20-100 counts per minute. The distributions of bioparticles with masses between 108 and 1010 Da were separated from human blood serum in the pilot experiment. The presented approach for lipid vesicle separation encourages the development of new techniques for the direct mass-spectrometric analysis of biomarkers in MS-separated EVs in a vacuum.

Plasma-Derived Small Extracellular Vesicles miR- 182 - 5p Is a Potential Biomarker for Diagnosing Major Depressive Disorder

Depression, particularly major depressive disorder (MDD), is a debilitating neuropsychiatric condition characterized by high disability rates, primarily driven by chronic stress and genetic predispositions. Emerging evidence highlights the critical role of microRNAs (miRNAs) in the pathogenesis of depression, with plasma-derived small extracellular vesicles (sEVs) emerging as promising biomarkers. In this study, we collected peripheral blood plasma samples from patients diagnosed with MDD, as assessed by the Hamilton Depression Rating scale, alongside healthy individuals serving as controls. Plasma-derived sEVs were isolated via ultracentrifugation, followed by high-throughput sequencing of miRNAs encapsulated within sEVs, and finally image acquisition and differential expression analysis. Our results revealed a significant elevation of miR-182-5p in plasma-derived sEVs from MDD patients compared to healthy controls, a finding further validated in chronic mild stress (CMS) models. Further analysis suggested that miRNAs encapsulated within sEVs may influence depression onset and progression by modulating hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis activity. These findings underscore the potential of miRNAs and their target genes as novel biomarkers, offering improved diagnostic accuracy and therapeutic efficacy for MDD.

Fusogenic Nanoreactor-Based Detection of Extracellular Vesicle-derived miRNAs for Diagnosing Atherosclerosis

Extracellular vesicle (EV) microRNAs (miRNAs) are critical liquid-biopsy biomarkers that facilitate noninvasive clinical diagnosis and disease monitoring. However, conventional methods for detecting these miRNAs require EV lysis, which is expensive, labor-intensive, and time-consuming. Inspired by natural viral infection mechanisms, a novel strategy is developed for detecting EV miRNAs in situ via vesicle fusion mediated by viral fusion proteins. A padlock probe encapsulated within fusogenic liposomes is activated by target miRNAs, thereby initiating a highly sensitive and specific rolling circle amplification (RCA) reaction. Three EV miRNAs associated with atherosclerosis are successfully analyzed using this method, thereby enabling clear differentiation of healthy and diseased mice at several disease stages. Overall, the developed platform offers a simple approach for detecting EV miRNAs and demonstrates significant potential for broad use in applications involving disease diagnosis and monitoring.

Decoding Complex Biological Milieus: SHINER's Approach to Profiling and Functioning of Extracellular Vesicle Subpopulations

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are celebrated for their pivotal roles in cellular communication and their potential in disease diagnosis and therapeutic applications. However, their inherent heterogeneity acts as a double-edged sword, complicating the isolation of specific EV subpopulations. Conventional EV isolation methods often fall short, relying on biophysical properties, while affinity-based techniques may compromise EV integrity and utility with harsh recovery conditions. To address these limitations, the SHINER (subpopulation homogeneous isolation and nondestructive EV release) workflow is introduced, which redefines how EVs are isolated and recoverd, featuring the innovative SWITCHER (switchable extracellular vesicle releaser) tool. The SHINER workflow facilitates the precise purification and gentle recovery of target EV subpopulations from complex biological mixtures, preserving their structural integrity and biological functionality. Importantly, SHINER demonstrates exceptional adaptability to multiple markers and clinical applications. It not only enhances the ability to trace EV origins for accurate disease diagnosis but also advances fundamental EV research and provides standardized EV materials for therapeutic innovations. By improving the understanding of EVs and enabling the development of personalized diagnostics and treatments, SHINER propels EV-based science into new frontiers of advanced medicine, offering transformative potential for healthcare.

Exercise-induced extracellular vesicles mediate apoptosis in human colon cancer cells in an exercise intensity-dependent manner

Regular exercise reduces the incidence and improves the prognosis of many cancer types, but the underlying mechanisms remain elusive. Evidence suggests that exercise exerts its therapeutic effects through extracellular vesicles (EVs), which are essential for cellular communication. Here, we hypothesized that exercise-induced EVs from serum of healthy individuals would exert anti-tumorigenic effects on human colon cancer HT-29 cells, in an exercise intensity-dependent manner. Ten healthy young active males participated in a randomized crossover trial, completing two workload-matched acute exercise bouts, moderate-intensity continuous exercise (MICE) and high-intensity interval exercise (HIIE), on a cycle ergometer. A control session of rest (PRE) was included. EVs were isolated from serum samples collected during PRE and immediately after each exercise session. EVs were co-incubated with HT-29 colon cancer cells, and the effects on cell viability, migration, and apoptosis were measured. EV treatment reduced cell viability in all groups (PRE, MICE, and HIIE) by 35%, 43% and 47%, respectively, vs. PBS. HIIE-EVs showed a significantly greater reduction in cell viability vs. PRE; therefore, only these groups were used for further analysis. PRE EVs reduced migration by 27%, and HIIE-EVs by 39%. HIIE-EVs increased expression of pro-apoptotic markers: Bax/Bcl-2 ratio by 56% and Caspase 3 by 30% vs. PBS, with no change observed in the PRE group. Further, 16% of cells in PRE and 28% of cells in HIIE were TUNEL-positive, indicating DNA fragmentation. To our knowledge, this is the first human study that illustrates the therapeutic potential of exercise-induced EVs in cancer treatment.

Noninvasive Assessment of β-Secretase Activity Through Click Chemistry-Mediated Enrichment of Neuronal Extracellular Vesicles to Detect Alzheimer's Disease

Alzheimer's disease (AD), the most prevalent type of dementia, is characterized by a biological process that begins with the development of AD neuropathologic change (ADNPC) while individuals remain asymptomatic. A key molecular hallmark of ADNPC is the accumulation of amyloid-β plaques. β-secretase plays a critical role in the upstream pathological cleavage of amyloid precursor protein (APP), producing amyloid-β peptides that are prone to misfolding, ultimately contributing to plaque formation. Neuronal extracellular vesicles (NEVs) in the blood transport β-secretase and preserve its activity, allowing for noninvasive profiling of β-secretase activity for detecting early onset of ADNPC. In this study, a novel approach is approached for noninvasive assessment of β-secretase activity in AD patients using an NEV β-secretase activity assay. This assay identifies NEVs exhibiting colocalization of NEV markers with AD-associated β-secretase, generating a β-secretase activity profile for each patient. The NEV β-secretase activity assay represents a significant advancement in leveraging the diagnostic potential of NEVs, offering a noninvasive, quantitative method for reliably assessing β-secretase activity to detect the early onset of ADNPC.

Small extracellular vesicles: the origins, current status, future prospects, and applications

Small extracellular vesicles (sEVs) are membrane-bound vesicles with a size of less than 200 nm, released by cells. Due to their relatively small molecular weight and ability to participate in intercellular communication, sEVs can serve not only as carriers of biomarkers for disease diagnosis but also as effective drug delivery agents. Furthermore, these vesicles are involved in regulating the onset and progression of various diseases, reflecting the physiological and functional states of cells. This paper introduces the classification of extracellular vesicles, with a focus on the extraction and identification of sEVs and their significant role in repair, diagnosis, and intercellular communication. Additionally, the paper addresses the engineering modification of sEVs to provide a reference for enhanced understanding and application.

Circulating Exosomal Proteins as New Diagnostic Biomarkers for Colorectal Cancer (EXOSCOL01): A Pilot Case-Controlled Study Focusing on MMP14 Potential

BACKGROUND

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the second leading cause of cancer-related death worldwide. The French CRC screening campaign is based on fecal immunochemical tests (FIT), confirmed by colonoscopy, an invasive procedure with a poor participation rate. This study aimed to compare the expression of circulating exosomal proteins (MMP14, β1-Integrin subunit, β3-Integrin subunit, and α1(I) Collagen chain) in patients with CRC or adenomas.

METHODS

A total of 71 patients were recruited, including 24 controls (normal colonoscopy), 11 patients with adenoma, and 36 with CRC. Plasmatic exosomal protein expression was measured by western blot analysis and reported to either protein or exosome content.

RESULTS

The three groups were comparable regarding clinical characteristics. A significant difference was observed for MMP14 relative expression (p = 0.0007), MMP14 expression reported to exosomal protein content (p = 0.0003), and MMP14 expression reported to exosome content (p = 0.0005). These three parameters were significantly higher in patients with adenoma vs. control patients (p = 0.0013, p = 0.0004, and p = 0.0003, respectively). Only MMP14 relative intensity was significantly higher in the CRC group vs. the control group (p = 0.0018).

CONCLUSIONS

Exosomal MMP14 is a promising early diagnostic biomarker for CRC and adenoma. These preliminary results warrant confirmation in larger studies using quantitative measurements such as ELISA or flow cytometry.

Harnessing stem cell-derived exosomes: a promising cell-free approach for spinal cord injury

Spinal cord injury (SCI) is a severe injury to the central nervous system that often results in permanent neurological dysfunction. Current treatments have limited efficacy and face challenges in restoring neurological function after injury. Recently, stem cell-derived exosomes have gained attention as an experimental treatment for SCI due to their unique properties, including superior biocompatibility, minimal immunogenicity and non-tumorigenicity. With their potential as a cell-free therapy, exosomes promote SCI repair by enhancing nerve regeneration, reducing inflammation and stabilizing the blood-spinal cord barrier. This review summarizes advances in stem cell-derived exosome research for SCI over the past years, focusing on their mechanisms and future prospects. Despite their promising therapeutic potential, clinical translation remains challenging due to standardization of exosome isolation protocols, compositional consistency and long-term safety profiles that require further investigation.

Circulating Tissue Specific Extracellular Vesicles for Noninvasive Monitoring of Acute Cellular Rejection in Clinical Heart Transplantation

BACKGROUND

There remains a critical need for biomarkers of acute cellular rejection (ACR) in heart transplantation. We hypothesized that immunopathophysiology of ACR is reflected via dynamic changes in the protein and RNA cargoes of small extracellular vesicles (sEVs) released by cardiac allograft and T cells into circulation, thus enabling noninvasive window into ACR.

METHODS

T-cell sEVs were enriched using anti-CD3 antibody beads, and antidonor HLA I antibody beads for donor sEVs. Cargoes of donor sEVs (cardiac troponin T [cTnT] protein and mRNA) and T-cell sEVs (CD4, CD8, T-cell receptor proteins, miRNAs [miRs] let 7i, 101b, 21a) were compared with time-matched endomyocardial biopsy samples (n = 70) in 12 patients to postoperative day 120.

RESULTS

Six patients had 11 moderate ACR (15.7%) episodes, 1 had antibody-mediated rejection, and 5 had ≤ mild ACR. By Wilcoxon rank-sum tests, cTnT protein (P = 6.04 × 10-5) and mRNA (P = 6.87 × 10-7) were decreased with moderate ACR compared with grades 0/1 ACR. T-cell sEV CD4, CD8, and TCR protein cargoes (P ≤ 3.92 × 10-5) and miRs let 7i, 101b, and 21a (P ≤ 9.05 × 10-5) were increased with moderate ACR. Successful treatment of moderate ACR led to dynamic reversal in sEV profiles, especially donor heart sEV cTnT mRNA (Spearman coefficient 0.87) and miR 21a (coefficient 0.85).

CONCLUSIONS

Our first investigation in heart transplant patients demonstrated that circulating T cell-sEV and donor heart-sEV profiles enable diagnosis of moderate ACR with high diagnostic accuracy. A large sample cohort external validation study is warranted to better understand diagnostic potential of this platform for ACR monitoring in heart transplantation.

miR-24-3p secreted as extracellular vesicle cargo by cardiomyocytes inhibits fibrosis in human cardiac microtissues

AIMS

Cardiac fibrosis in response to injury leads to myocardial stiffness and heart failure. At the cellular level, fibrosis is triggered by the conversion of cardiac fibroblasts (CF) into extracellular matrix-producing myofibroblasts. miR-24-3p regulates this process in animal models. Here, we investigated whether miR-24-3p plays similar roles in human models.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Gain- and loss-of-function experiments were performed using human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes (hCM) and primary hCF under normoxic or ischaemia-simulating conditions. hCM-derived extracellular vesicles (EVs) were added to hCF. Similar experiments were performed using three-dimensional human cardiac microtissues and ex vivo cultured human cardiac slices. hCF transfection with miR-24-3p mimic prevented TGFβ1-mediated induction of FURIN, CCND1, and SMAD4-miR-24-3p target genes participating in TGFβ1-dependent fibrogenesis-regulating hCF-to-myofibroblast conversion. hCM secreted miR-24-3p as EV cargo. hCM-derived EVs modulated hCF activation. Ischaemia-simulating conditions induced miR-24-3p depletion in hCM-EVs and microtissues. Similarly, hypoxia down-regulated miR-24-3p in cardiac slices. Analyses of clinical samples revealed decreased miR-24-3p levels in circulating EVs in patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI), compared with healthy subjects. Post-mortem RNAScope analysis showed miR-24-3p down-regulation in myocardium from patients with AMI, compared with patients who died from non-cardiac diseases. Berberine, a plant-derived agent with miR-24-3p-stimulatory activity, increased miR-24-3p contents in hCM-EVs, down-regulated FURIN, CCND1, and SMAD4, and inhibited fibrosis in cardiac microtissues.

CONCLUSION

These findings suggest that hCM may control hCF activation through miR-24-3p secreted as EV cargo. Ischaemia impairs this mechanism, favouring fibrosis.

Changes and application prospects of biomolecular materials in small extracellular vesicles (sEVs) after flavivirus infection

Small extracellular vesicles (sEVs), also known as exosomes, are membranous vesicles filled with various proteins and nucleic acids, serving as a communication vector between cells. Recent research has highlighted their role in viral diseases. This review synthesizes current understanding of viral sEVs and includes recent findings on sEVs infected with flaviviruses. It discusses the implications of viral sEVs research for advancing arbovirus sEVs research and anticipates the potential applications of sEVs in flavivirus infections.

Gut commensal Bifidobacterium-derived extracellular vesicles modulate the therapeutic effects of anti-PD-1 in lung cancer

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide. Although immunotherapy such as anti-programmed death-1 and its ligand 1 (PD-1/L1) is a standard treatment for advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), many patients do not derive benefit directly. Several studies have elucidated new strategies to improve the antitumor immune response through gut microbiota modulation. However, it remains largely debatable regarding how gut microbiota remotely affect lung cancer microenvironment and subsequently modulate immunotherapy response. Here we show that commensal Bifidobacterium-derived extracellular vesicles (Bif.BEVs) can modulate the therapeutic effect of anti-PD-1 therapy in NSCLC. These Bif.BEVs are up-taken by lung cancer cells predominantly via dynamin-dependent endocytosis and upregulate PD-L1 expression through TLR4-NF-κB pathway. They also efficiently penetrate murine intestinal and patient-derived lung cancer organoids. Oral gavage of these Bif.BEVs result in their accumulation in tumors in mice. Using a syngeneic mouse model, Bif.BEVs are found to synergize the anti-tumor effect of anti-PD-1 via modulation of key cytokines, immune response and oncogenic pathways, and increase in tumor-infiltrating CD8+ T cells. Our study therefore identifies a link between Bif.BEVs and the tumor microenvironment, providing an alternative mechanism to explain how gut microbiota can influence immunotherapy response, particularly in tumors located anatomically distant from the gut.

Keratinocyte-derived extracellular vesicles induce macrophage polarization toward an M1-like phenotype

Multiple reports have shown an effect of keratinocyte-derived extracellular vesicles (EVs) on keratinocytes and other cell types. However, the contribution of keratinocyte-derived EVs under physiological and pathological conditions is not fully elucidated. Therefore, whether there is an effect of EVs on macrophages in cervical cancer (CC) is also unknown. Here, we evaluated the effect of tumor and non-tumor keratinocyte-derived EVs on the polarization of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs)-derived macrophages and THP-1 cell line. Flow cytometric evaluation of macrophages cultured in the presence of keratinocyte-derived EVs mainly indicated an increase in classical activation markers CD80 and CD86 (M1 phenotype) and little or no modification of alternative activation markers (M2 phenotype). ELISA evaluation of macrophage supernatants revealed an increase in the secretion of proinflammatory cytokines such as IL-1β and IL-6. On the other hand, TGF-β was not significantly modified and only EVs derived from non-cancerous keratinocytes induced a significant increase in IL-10. The expression levels of transcripts associated with the M1 phenotype were also evaluated by qRT-PCR with similar results to ELISA for TGF-β and IL-10; but also an increase in the expression of HLA-DRα and TNF-α was observed, and no statistically significant changes in ARG1. The ROS production was also evaluated and this increase mainly in macrophages treated with CC keratinocytes-derived EVs. So, our results suggest that the uptake of EVs derived from released by non-tumor and cervical cancer keratinocytes promotes in macrophages their polarization to an M1-like phenotype.

Gouqi-derived Nanovesicles (GqDNVs) promoted MC3T3-E1 cells proliferation and improve fracture healing

BACKGROUND

Lycium barbarum L., also known as Gouqi, a traditional Chinese herbal medicine, is widely utilized in health care products and clinical therapies. Its muscle and bone strengthening efficacy has been recorded in medical classics for a long time. In addition, plant exosome-like nanovesicles (PELNVs) have attracted more and more attention owing to their biological traits. Therefore, we intended to explore the functions, regulatory role, and underlying mechanism of Gouqi-derived Nanovesicles (GqDNVs) on fracture healing.

METHODS

In this study, we employed the sucrose density gradient differential ultracentrifugation to isolate GqDNVs. The effects of GqDNVs on the proliferation and differentiation of MC3T3-E1 cells were evaluated using the CCK-8 assay, ALP activity measurement, and cell scratch assay. Additionally, leveraging a fracture mouse model, we utilized Micro-CT, immunological staining, and histologic analyses to comprehensively assess the impact of GqDNVs on fracture healing in mice.

RESULTS

GqDNVs stimulated cell viability, increased ALP activity, and promoted cellular osteogenic protein expression (OPN, ALP, and RUNX2). Subsequently, in the mouse fracture model, trabecular thickness, and bone marrow density were increased in the GqDNVs treatment group after 28 days of injection. Meanwhile, the expressions of OPN and BGP were significantly elevated after both 14 and 28 days. Additionally, the expressions of p-PI3K/PI3K, p-Akt/Akt, p-mTOR/mTOR, p-4EBP1/4EBP1 and p-p70S6K/ p70S6K were also increased after14 days of treatment.

CONCLUSIONS

GqDNVs effectively promoted the proliferation and differentiation of MC3T3-E1 cells. Furthermore, GqDNVs could improve fracture healing, which is associated with PI3K/Akt/mTOR/p70S6K/4EBP1 signaling pathway.

Reduction of alternative polarization of macrophages by short-term activated hepatic stellate cell-derived small extracellular vesicles

BACKGROUND

Activated hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) induce alternative (M2) polarization of macrophages and contribute to the progression of fibrosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, the effects of small extracellular vesicles released by HSCs (HSC-sEVs) during activation remain largely unknown.

METHODS

The aim of this study was to investigate the role of extracellular vesicles released by HSCs (HSC-sEVs) at different stages of activation in macrophage polarization. The effects of sEVs from short-term activated and long-term activated HSCs on liver macrophages was studied. Small RNA sequencing analyses were performed to obtain differential miRNAs transported by the short-term and long-term activated HSC- sEVs. The in vivo effects of short-term activated HSC-sEV-specific miRNA on liver macrophage and liver fibrosis were confirmed in a CCl4-induced liver injury mouse model. To study the tumor suppressive effects of the macrophages educated by short-term activated HSC-sEV-specific miRNA, human hepatoma cells were mixed and subcutaneously cotransplanted with miR-99a-5p mimic-pretreated macrophages.

RESULTS

We found that consistent with activated HSCs, long-term activated HSC-sEVs (14dHSC-sEVs) induce bone marrow-derived monocytes (MOs) toward an M2 phenotype, but short-term activated HSC-sEVs (3dHSC-sEVs) induce the resident macrophages (Kupffer cells, KCs) toward a classically activated (M1) phenotype. We identified five 3dHSC-sEV-specific miRNAs, including miR-99a-5p. In vitro and in vivo experiments support that miR-99a-5p negatively regulates alternative polarization of macrophages, decreases collagen deposition in chronic liver injury model, and suppresses the progression of hepatoma in a xenograft model partially by targeting CD93.

CONCLUSION

Collectively, our work reveals an unexpected proinflammatory role of 3dHSC-sEVs, preliminarily explores the underlying mechanism, and evaluates the therapeutic potential of 3dHSC-sEV-specific miR-99a-5p for liver fibrosis and tumorigenesis.

Isolation and characterization of extracellular vesicles from EGFR mutated lung cancer cells

The epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) signaling pathway is essential for cellular processes such as proliferation, survival, and migration. Dysregulation of EGFR signaling is frequently observed in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and is associated with poor prognosis. This study aims to isolate and characterize extracellular vesicles (EVs) released by mutant EGFR lung cancer cell line PC9 and compare them with wild-type EGFR lung cancer cell line A549, while also evaluating the effect of gefitinib treatment on EV secretion and cargo composition. The two lung cancer cell lines were cultured with 2% EV-free serum, and EVs were subsequently isolated by differential ultra centrifugation. EVs were characterized by nanoparticle tracking analysis (NTA) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) for quantification size and shape determination. Western blot analysis confirmed the enrichment and purity of isolated EVs. Results showed that EGFR mutation significantly increased EV release and altered their size, compared to EVs released by wild-type EGFR cells. In addition to classical EV markers such as CD81, Flotillin- 1, and TSG101, Western blot analysis also detected phosphorylated EGFR (p-EGFR) selectively packaged into EVs from PC9 cells. Gefitinib treatment significantly reduced EV secretion in PC9 cells and led to a marked decrease in p-EGFR incorporation into EVs, indicating that EV biogenesis and compostion are modulated by active EGFR signaling. In conclusion, this study highlights the significant influence of EGFR activation on EV secretion and cargo composition while demonstrating that EGFR inhibition via gefitinib alters EV-mediated signaling in lung cancer cells. These findings provide insights into tumor behavior, EV-mediated oncogenic communication, and the potential use of EVs as biomarkers and therapeutic targets in NSCLC.

FRET imaging of glycoRNA on small extracellular vesicles enabling sensitive cancer diagnostics

Glycosylated RNAs (glycoRNAs), a recently discovered class of membrane-associated glyco-molecules, remain poorly understood in function and clinical value due to limited detection methods. Here, we show a dual recognition Förster resonance energy transfer (drFRET) strategy using nucleic acid probes to detect N-acetylneuraminic acid-modified RNAs, enabling sensitive, selective profiling of glycoRNAs on small extracellular vesicles (sEVs) from minimal biofluids (10 μl initial biofluid). Using drFRET, we identify 5 prevalent sEV glycoRNAs derived from 7 cancer cell lines. In a 100-patient cohort (6 cancer types and non-cancer controls), sEV glycoRNA profiles achieve 100% accuracy (95% confidence interval) in distinguishing cancers from non-cancer cases and 89% accuracy in classifying specific cancer types. Furthermore, drFRET reveal that sEV glycoRNAs specifically interact with Siglec proteins and P-selectin, which is critical for sEV cellular internalization. The drFRET strategy provides a versatile and sensitive platform for the imaging and functional analysis of sEV glycoRNAs, with promising implications for clinical applications.

Most L1CAM Is not Associated with Extracellular Vesicles in Human Biofluids and iPSC-Derived Neurons

Transmembrane L1 cell adhesion molecule (L1CAM) is widely used as a marker to enrich for neuron-derived extracellular vesicles (EVs), especially in plasma. However, this approach lacks sufficient robust validation. This study aimed to assess whether human biofluids are indeed enriched for EVs, particularly neuron-derived EVs, by L1CAM immunoaffinity, utilizing multiple sources (plasma, CSF, conditioned media from iPSC-derived neurons [iNCM]) and different methods (mass spectrometry [MS], nanoparticle tracking analysis [NTA]). Following a systematic multi-step validation approach, we confirmed isolation of generic EV populations using size-exclusion chromatography (SEC) and polymer-aided precipitation (PPT)-two most commonly applied EV isolation methods-from all sources. Neurofilament light (NfL) was detected in both CSF and blood-derived EVs, indicating their neuronal origin. However, L1CAM immunoprecipitation did not yield enrichment of L1CAM in EV fractions. Instead, it was predominantly found in its free-floating form. Additionally, MS-based proteomic analysis of CSF-derived EVs also did not show L1CAM enrichment. Our study validates EV isolation from diverse biofluid sources by several isolation approaches and confirms that some EV subpopulations in human biofluids are of neuronal origin. Thorough testing across multiple sources by different orthogonal methods, however, does not support L1CAM as a marker to reliably enrich for a specific subpopulation of EVs, particularly of neuronal origin.

Stem-Cell Derived Exosomal microRNAs as Biomarkers and Therapeutics for Pediatric Cardiovascular Disease

Purpose of Review

In recent years, several pre-clinical studies have demonstrated the therapeutic potential of stem cell-derived exosomes in the treatment of cardiovascular disease (CVD). Here, we evaluate their potential as biomarkers for the detection and monitoring of CVD, with a particular focus on pediatric heart disease.

Recent Findings

Exosomes isolated from stem cell sources, including mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) and pluripotent stem cells (PSCs), benefit cardiovascular function, inflammatory responses, and angiogenesis in injured and diseased hearts. These exosomes carry a variety of cargo, such as proteins, lipids, and nucleic acids. However, the majority contain non-coding RNA molecules.

Summary

Review of the existing literature for several non-coding RNAs and their relationship to CVD suggests that exosomes containing microRNAs (miRNAs) can serve as promising biomarkers for CVD due to their presence in circulation, ease of isolation, and therapeutic potential. These biomarkers are especially promising as screening and diagnostic tools for the early detection of pediatric and congenital heart disease.

From bench to bedside: The evolution of extracellular vesicle diagnostics through microfluidic and paper-based technologies

"Extracellular vesicles (EVs) have emerged as key mediators of intercellular communication and valuable biomarkers for various diseases. However, traditional EV isolation and detection methods often struggle with efficiency, scalability, and purity, limiting their clinical utility. Recent advances in microfluidic and paper-based technologies offer innovative solutions that enhance EV isolation and detection by reducing sample volume, accelerating processing times, and integrating multiple analytical steps into compact platforms. These technologies hold significant promise for advancing point-of-care diagnostics, enabling rapid disease detection, personalized treatment monitoring, and better patient outcomes. For example, early detection of cancer biomarkers through EVs can facilitate timely intervention, potentially improving survival rates, while rapid infectious disease diagnostics can support prompt treatment. Despite their potential, challenges such as standardization, scalability, and regulatory hurdles remain. This review discusses recent advancements in microfluidic and paper-based EV diagnostic technologies, their comparative advantages over traditional methods, and their transformative potential in clinical practice."

Sensitive detection of small extracellular vesicles using a gold nanostar-based SERS assay

Small extracellular vesicles (sEVs) are lipid bilayer-bound vesicles that carry critical biomarkers for disease detection. However, the inherent heterogeneity and complexity of sEV molecular characteristics pose significant challenges for accurate and comprehensive molecular profiling. Traditional analytical methods, including immunoblotting, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and flow cytometry, exhibit several limitations, such as being time-consuming, requiring large sample volumes, and demonstrating relatively low sensitivity. Therefore, there is an urgent need to develop a highly sensitive and specific assay for the reliable detection of sEVs. Surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) assays have emerged as a promising approach for sEV detection, offering advantages including high sensitivity and specificity. In the proposed SERS assay, SERS nanotags - comprising nanoparticles coated with Raman-active molecules and conjugated with antibodies - are employed to label surface-bound molecules on sEVs. This approach facilitates the generation of a high-intensity signal from molecules present in low abundance. Recently, anisotropic nanoparticles, such as star-shaped nanostructures, have garnered interest due to their ability to significantly amplify generated SERS signals for ultra-sensitive biomarker detection. In this study, we explore the application of gold nanostars (AuNSs) as SERS nanotags for the detection of sEVs. In principle, AuNS-based SERS nanotags were used to label the EpCAM protein, which can be found on the surface of cancer cell derived sEVs, and then sEV labelled SERS nanotags were captured by CD9-conjugated magnetic beads to form an immunocomplex, which exhibits a SERS signal. Our results demonstrate that the proposed SERS assay utilizing AuNSs provides high specificity and sensitivity, with a detection limit as low as 2.47 × 103 particles per μL. Furthermore, the assay was tested with spiked plasma samples (cancer cell-derived sEVs spiked into healthy plasma), showing that its specificity remains unaffected by the presence of plasma. These findings suggest that the SERS assay incorporating AuNSs holds significant promise as an effective and reliable detection method for potential clinical applications.