Application of extracellular vesicles proteins in cancer diagnosis

The Role of Extracellular Vesicles in Metabolic Diseases

Extracellular vesicles represent a group of structures with the capacity to communicate with different cells and organs. This complex network of interactions can regulate multiple physiological processes in the organism. Very importantly, these processes can be altered during the appearance of different diseases including cancer, metabolic diseases, etc. In addition, these extracellular vesicles can transport different cargoes, altering the initiation of the disease, driving the progression, or even accelerating the pathogenesis. Then, we have explored the implication of these structures in different alterations such as pancreatic cancer, and in different metabolic alterations such as diabetes and its complications and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. Finally, we have explored in more detail the communication between the liver and the pancreas. In summary, extracellular vesicles represent a very efficient system for the communication among different tissues and permit an efficient system as biomarkers of the disease, as well as being involved in the extracellular-vesicle-mediated transport of molecules, serving as a potential therapy for different diseases.

Tumor-derived extracellular vesicles regulate macrophage polarization: role and therapeutic perspectives

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are important cell-to-cell communication mediators. This paper focuses on the regulatory role of tumor-derived EVs on macrophages. It aims to investigate the causes of tumor progression and therapeutic directions. Tumor-derived EVs can cause macrophages to shift to M1 or M2 phenotypes. This indicates they can alter the M1/M2 cell ratio and have pro-tumor and anti-inflammatory effects. This paper discusses several key points: first, the factors that stimulate macrophage polarization and the cytokines released as a result; second, an overview of EVs and the methods used to isolate them; third, how EVs from various cancer cell sources, such as hepatocellular carcinoma, colorectal carcinoma, lung carcinoma, breast carcinoma, and glioblastoma cell sources carcinoma, promote tumor development by inducing M2 polarization in macrophages; and fourth, how EVs from breast carcinoma, pancreatic carcinoma, lungs carcinoma, and glioblastoma cell sources carcinoma also contribute to tumor development by promoting M2 polarization in macrophages. Modified or sourced EVs from breast, pancreatic, and colorectal cancer can repolarize M2 to M1 macrophages. This exhibits anti-tumor activities and offers novel approaches for tumor treatment. Therefore, we discovered that macrophage polarization to either M1 or M2 phenotypes can regulate tumor development. This is based on the description of altering macrophage phenotypes by vesicle contents.

Periodontal ligament cells-derived exosomes promote osteoclast differentiation via modulating macrophage polarization

Several studies have demonstrated that exosomes (Exos) are involved in the regulation of macrophage polarization and osteoclast differentiation. However, the characteristics as well as roles of exosomes from human periodontal ligament cells (hPDLCs-Exos) in M1/M2 macrophage polarization and osteoclast differentiation remain unclear. Here, periodontal ligament cells were successfully extracted by method of improved Type-I collagen enzyme digestion. hPDLCs-Exos were extracted by ultracentrifugation. hPDLCs-Exos were identified by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), nanoparticle tracking analysis (NTA) and western blotting (WB). Osteoclast differentiation was evaluated by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR), WB and tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP) staining. M1/M2 macrophage polarization were evaluated by RT-qPCR and WB. The results showed hPDLCs-Exos promoted osteoclast differentiation and M2 macrophage polarization, but inhibited M1 macrophage polarization. Moreover, M1 macrophages inhibited osteoclast differentiation, whereas M2 macrophages promoted osteoclast differentiation. It has shown that hPDLCs-Exos promoted osteoclast differentiation by inhibiting M1 and promoting M2 macrophage polarization.

Protein cargo in extracellular vesicles as the key mediator in the progression of cancer

Exosomes are small vesicles of endosomal origin that are released by almost all cell types, even those that are pathologically altered. Exosomes widely participate in cell-to-cell communication via transferring cargo, including nucleic acids, proteins, and other metabolites, into recipient cells. Tumour-derived exosomes (TDEs) participate in many important molecular pathways and affect various hallmarks of cancer, including fibroblasts activation, modification of the tumour microenvironment (TME), modulation of immune responses, angiogenesis promotion, setting the pre-metastatic niche, enhancing metastatic potential, and affecting therapy sensitivity and resistance. The unique exosome biogenesis, composition, nontoxicity, and ability to target specific tumour cells bring up their use as promising drug carriers and cancer biomarkers. In this review, we focus on the role of exosomes, with an emphasis on their protein cargo, in the key mechanisms promoting cancer progression. We also briefly summarise the mechanism of exosome biogenesis, its structure, protein composition, and potential as a signalling hub in both normal and pathological conditions. Video Abstract.

Enrichment of sweat-derived extracellular vesicles of human and bacterial origin for biomarker identification

Sweat contains biomarkers for real-time non-invasive health monitoring, but only a few relevant analytes are currently used in clinical practice. In the present study, we investigated whether sweat-derived extracellular vesicles (EVs) can be used as a source of potential protein biomarkers of human and bacterial origin. Methods: By using ExoView platform, electron microscopy, nanoparticle tracking analysis and Western blotting we characterized EVs in the sweat of eight volunteers performing rigorous exercise. We compared the presence of EV markers as well as general protein composition of total sweat, EV-enriched sweat and sweat samples collected in alginate skin patches. Results: We identified 1209 unique human proteins in EV-enriched sweat, of which approximately 20% were present in every individual sample investigated. Sweat derived EVs shared 846 human proteins (70%) with total sweat, while 368 proteins (30%) were captured by medical grade alginate skin patch and such EVs contained the typical exosome marker CD63. The majority of identified proteins are known to be carried by EVs found in other biofluids, mostly urine. Besides human proteins, EV-enriched sweat samples contained 1594 proteins of bacterial origin. Bacterial protein profiles in EV-enriched sweat were characterized by high interindividual variability, that reflected differences in total sweat composition. Alginate-based sweat patch accumulated only 5% proteins of bacterial origin. Conclusion: We showed that sweat-derived EVs provide a rich source of potential biomarkers of human and bacterial origin. Use of commercially available alginate skin patches selectively enrich for human derived material with very little microbial material collected.

Unraveling the Multifaceted Roles of Extracellular Vesicles: Insights into Biology, Pharmacology, and Pharmaceutical Applications for Drug Delivery

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are nanoparticles released from various cell types that have emerged as powerful new therapeutic option for a variety of diseases. EVs are involved in the transmission of biological signals between cells and in the regulation of a variety of biological processes, highlighting them as potential novel targets/platforms for therapeutics intervention and/or delivery. Therefore, it is necessary to investigate new aspects of EVs' biogenesis, biodistribution, metabolism, and excretion as well as safety/compatibility of both unmodified and engineered EVs upon administration in different pharmaceutical dosage forms and delivery systems. In this review, we summarize the current knowledge of essential physiological and pathological roles of EVs in different organs and organ systems. We provide an overview regarding application of EVs as therapeutic targets, therapeutics, and drug delivery platforms. We also explore various approaches implemented over the years to improve the dosage of specific EV products for different administration routes.

The Role of Cancer Stem Cell Markers in Ovarian Cancer

Ovarian cancer is the most lethal gynaecological cancer and the eighth most common female cancer. The early diagnosis of ovarian cancer remains a clinical problem despite the significant development of technology. Nearly 70% of patients with ovarian cancer are diagnosed with stages III-IV metastatic disease. Reliable diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers are currently lacking. Ovarian cancer recurrence and resistance to chemotherapy pose vital problems and translate into poor outcomes. Cancer stem cells appear to be responsible for tumour recurrence resulting from chemotherapeutic resistance. These cells are also crucial for tumour initiation due to the ability to self-renew, differentiate, avoid immune destruction, and promote inflammation and angiogenesis. Studies have confirmed an association between CSC occurrence and resistance to chemotherapy, subsequent metastases, and cancer relapses. Therefore, the elimination of CSCs appears important for overcoming drug resistance and improving prognoses. This review focuses on the expression of selected ovarian CSC markers, including CD133, CD44, CD24, CD117, and aldehyde dehydrogenase 1, which show potential prognostic significance. Some markers expressed on the surface of CSCs correlate with clinical features and can be used for the diagnosis and prognosis of ovarian cancer. However, due to the heterogeneity and plasticity of CSCs, the determination of specific CSC phenotypes is difficult.

The Arising Role of Extracellular Vesicles in Cholangiocarcinoma: A Rundown of the Current Knowledge Regarding Diagnostic and Therapeutic Approaches

Cholangiocarcinomas (CCAs) constitute a heterogeneous group of highly malignant epithelial tumors arising from the biliary tree. This cluster of malignant tumors includes three distinct entities, the intrahepatic, perihilar, and distal CCAs, which are characterized by different epidemiological and molecular backgrounds, as well as prognosis and therapeutic approaches. The higher incidence of CCA over the last decades, the late diagnostic time that contributes to a high mortality and poor prognosis, as well as its chemoresistance, intensified the efforts of the scientific community for the development of novel diagnostic tools and therapeutic approaches. Extracellular vesicles (EVs) comprise highly heterogenic, multi-sized, membrane-enclosed nanostructures that are secreted by a large variety of cells via different routes of biogenesis. Their role in intercellular communication via their cargo that potentially contributes to disease development and progression, as well as their prospect as diagnostic biomarkers and therapeutic tools, has become the focus of interest of several current studies for several diseases, including CCA. The aim of this review is to give a rundown of the current knowledge regarding the emerging role of EVs in cholangiocarcinogenesis and their future perspectives as diagnostic and therapeutic tools.

Development of a blood-based extracellular vesicle classifier for detection of early-stage pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma

BACKGROUND

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) has an overall 5-year survival rate of just 12.5% and thus is among the leading causes of cancer deaths. When detected at early stages, PDAC survival rates improve substantially. Testing high-risk patients can increase early-stage cancer detection; however, currently available liquid biopsy approaches lack high sensitivity and may not be easily accessible.

METHODS

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) were isolated from blood plasma that was collected from a training set of 650 patients (105 PDAC stages I and II, 545 controls). EV proteins were analyzed using a machine learning approach to determine which were the most informative to develop a classifier for early-stage PDAC. The classifier was tested on a validation cohort of 113 patients (30 PDAC stages I and II, 83 controls).

RESULTS

The training set demonstrates an AUC of 0.971 (95% CI = 0.953-0.986) with 93.3% sensitivity (95% CI: 86.9-96.7) at 91.0% specificity (95% CI: 88.3-93.1). The trained classifier is validated using an independent cohort (30 stage I and II cases, 83 controls) and achieves a sensitivity of 90.0% and a specificity of 92.8%.

CONCLUSIONS

Liquid biopsy using EVs may provide unique or complementary information that improves early PDAC and other cancer detection. EV protein determinations herein demonstrate that the AC Electrokinetics (ACE) method of EV enrichment provides early-stage detection of cancer distinct from normal or pancreatitis controls.

Extracellular vesicle-based therapeutics: Extracellular vesicles as therapeutic targets and agents

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are cell-derived membrane vesicles composed of a lipid bilayer. EVs contain biological molecules, such as nucleic acids, lipids, and proteins. As these molecules are transferred to cells that receive EVs, EVs function as intercellular communication tools. EV-mediated intercellular communication is involved in various diseases, such as cancer and neurodegenerative diseases, and biological events, such as immune reactions and inflammation. Therefore, EVs are suggested to be useful as therapeutic targets for various diseases. However, an EV-based drug delivery system (DDS) that utilizes its therapeutic properties has not yet been reported. The biological activities of EVs are derived from their endogenous components; hence, they can be directly applied as drugs. In this review, the basic aspects of EVs, such as their types, methods of isolation, and in vivo behavior, are briefly summarized. Moreover, the potential of using therapeutics targeting EVs has been discussed in cancer and neurodegenerative diseases. Various therapeutics using EVs, including DDSs, are listed and their associated advantages and challenges are discussed.