The Methods of Choice for Extracellular Vesicles (EVs) Characterization

Role and therapeutic perspectives of extracellular vesicles derived from liver and adipose tissue in metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease

The global epidemic of metabolic diseases has led to the emergence of metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) and metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH), which pose a significant threat to human health. Despite recent advances in research on the pathogenesis and treatment of MASLD/MASH, there is still a lack of more effective and targeted therapies. Extracellular vesicles (EVs) discovered in a wide range of tissues and body fluids encapsulate different activated biomolecules and mediate intercellular communication. Recent studies have shown that EVs derived from the liver and adipose tissue (AT) play vital roles in MASLD/MASH pathogenesis and therapeutics, depending on their sources and intervention types. Besides, adipose-derived stem cell (ADSC)-derived EVs appear to be more effective in mitigating MASLD/MASH. This review presents an overview of the definition, extraction strategies, and characterisation of EVs, with a particular focus on the biogenesis and release of exosomes. It also reviews the effects and potential molecular mechanisms of liver- and AT-derived EVs on MASLD/MASH, and emphasises the contribution and clinical therapeutic potential of ADSC-derived EVs. Furthermore, the future perspective of EV therapy in a clinical setting is discussed.

From stem cells to extracellular vesicles: a new horizon in tissue engineering and regenerative medicine

In the fields of tissue engineering and regenerative medicine, extracellular vesicles (EVs) have become viable therapeutic tools. EVs produced from stem cells promote tissue healing by regulating the immune system, enhancing cell proliferation and aiding remodeling processes. Recently, EV has gained significant attention from researchers due to its ability to treat various diseases. Unlike stem cells, stem cell-derived EVs show lower immunogenicity, are less able to overcome biological barriers, and have a higher safety profile. This makes the use of EVs derived from cell-free stem cells a promising alternative to whole-cell therapy. This review focuses on the biogenesis, isolation, and characterization of EVs and highlights their therapeutic potential for bone fracture healing, wound healing, and neuronal tissue repair and treatment of kidney and intestinal diseases. Additionally, this review discusses the potential of EVs for the treatment of cancer, COVID-19, and HIV. In summary, the use of EVs derived from stem cells offers a new horizon for applications in tissue engineering and regenerative medicine.

Cryogenic electron microscopy reveals morphologically distinct subtypes of extracellular vesicles among porcine ejaculate fractions

Seminal plasma (SP) is rich in extracellular vesicles (EVs), which are still poorly studied, especially in livestock species. To better understand their functional role in both spermatozoa and endometrial epithelial cells, proper characterization of EVs is an essential step. The objective was to phenotypically characterize porcine seminal EVs (sEVs) using cryogenic electron microscopy (cryo-EM), which allows visualization of EVs in their native state. Porcine ejaculates are released in fractions, each containing SP from different source. This allows characterization sEVs released from various male reproductive tissues. Two experiments were performed, the first with SP from the entire ejaculate (n:6) and the second with SP from three ejaculate fractions (n:15): the first 10 mL of the sperm-rich ejaculate fraction (SRF-P1) with SP mainly from the epididymis, the remainder of the SRF (SRF-P2) with SP mainly from the prostate, and the post-SRF with SP mainly from the seminal vesicles. The sEVs were isolated by size exclusion chromatography and 1840 cryo-EM sEV images were acquired using a Jeol-JEM-2200FS/CR-EM. The size, electron density, complexity, and peripheral corona layer were measured in each sEV using the ImageJ software. The first experiment showed that sEVs were structurally and morphologically heterogeneous, although most (83.1%) were small (less than 200 nm), rounded, and poorly electrodense, and some have a peripheral coronal layer. There were also larger sEVs (16.9%) that were irregularly shaped, more electrodense, and few with a peripheral coronal layer. The second experiment showed that small sEVs were more common in SRF-P1 and SRF-P2, indicating that they originated mainly from the epididymis and prostate. Large sEVs were more abundant in post-SRF, indicating that they originated mainly from seminal vesicles. Porcine sEVs are structurally and morphologically heterogeneous. This would be explained by the diversity of reproductive organs of origin.

Functionalized extracellular nanovesicles as advanced CRISPR delivery systems

The clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeat (CRISPR) system, an emerging tool for genome editing, has garnered significant public interest for its potential in treating genetic diseases. Despite the rapid advancements in CRISPR technology, the progress in developing effective delivery strategies lags, impeding its clinical application. Extracellular nanovesicles (EVs), either in their endogenous forms or with engineered modifications, have emerged as a promising solution for CRISPR delivery. These EVs offer several advantages, including high biocompatibility, biological permeability, negligible immunogenicity, and straightforward production. Herein, we first summarize various types of functional EVs for CRISPR delivery, such as unmodified, modified, engineered virus-like particles (VLPs), and exosome-liposome hybrid vesicles, and examine their distinct intracellular pathways. Then, we outline the cutting-edge techniques for functionalizing extracellular vesicles, involving producer cell engineering, vesicle engineering, and virus-like particle engineering, emphasizing the diverse CRISPR delivery capabilities of these nanovesicles. Lastly, we address the current challenges and propose rational design strategies for their clinical translation, offering future perspectives on the development of functionalized EVs.

A comprehensive review of engineered exosomes from the preparation strategy to therapeutic applications

Exosomes exhibit high bioavailability, biological stability, targeted specificity, low toxicity, and low immunogenicity in shuttling various bioactive molecules such as proteins, lipids, RNA, and DNA. Natural exosomes, however, have limited production, targeting abilities, and therapeutic efficacy in clinical trials. On the other hand, engineered exosomes have demonstrated long-term circulation, high stability, targeted delivery, and efficient intracellular drug release, garnering significant attention. The engineered exosomes bring new insights into developing next-generation drug delivery systems and show enormous potential in therapeutic applications, such as tumor therapies, diabetes management, cardiovascular disease, and tissue regeneration and repair. In this review, we provide an overview of recent advancements associated with engineered exosomes by focusing on the state-of-the-art strategies for cell engineering and exosome engineering. Exosome isolation methods, including traditional and emerging approaches, are systematically compared along with advancements in characterization methods. Current challenges and future opportunities are further discussed in terms of the preparation and application of engineered exosomes.

HaloTag display enables quantitative single-particle characterisation and functionalisation of engineered extracellular vesicles

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) play key roles in diverse biological processes, transport biomolecules between cells and have been engineered for therapeutic applications. A useful EV bioengineering strategy is to express engineered proteins on the EV surface to confer targeting, bioactivity and other properties. Measuring how incorporation varies across a population of EVs is important for characterising such materials and understanding their function, yet it remains challenging to quantitatively characterise the absolute number of engineered proteins incorporated at single-EV resolution. To address these needs, we developed a HaloTag-based characterisation platform in which dyes or other synthetic species can be covalently and stoichiometrically attached to engineered proteins on the EV surface. To evaluate this system, we employed several orthogonal quantification methods, including flow cytometry and fluorescence microscopy, and found that HaloTag-mediated quantification is generally robust across EV analysis methods. We compared HaloTag-labelling to antibody-labelling of EVs using single vesicle flow cytometry, enabling us to measure the substantial degree to which antibody labelling can underestimate proteins present on an EV. Finally, we demonstrate the use of HaloTag to compare between protein designs for EV bioengineering. Overall, the HaloTag system is a useful EV characterisation tool which complements and expands existing methods.

Extracellular vesicles and glycans: new avenue for biomarker research

The investigation of biomarkers is constantly evolving. New molecules and molecular assemblies, such as soluble and particulate complexes, emerged as biomarkers from basic research and investigation of different proteomes, genomes, and glycomes. Extracellular vesicles (EVs), and glycans, complex carbohydrates are ubiquitous in nature. The composition and structure of both reflect physiological state of paternal cells and are strikingly changed in diseases. The EV-associated glycans, alone or in combination with soluble glycans in related biological fluids, used as analytes, aim to capture full complex biomarker picture, enabling its use in different clinical settings. Bringing together EVs and glycans can help to extract meaningful data from their extreme and distinct heterogeneities for use in the real-time diagnostics. The glycans on the surface of EVs could mark their subpopulations and establish the glycosignature, the solubilisation signature and molecular patterns. They all contribute to a new way of looking at and looking for composite biomarkers.

Identification of mungbean yellow mosaic India virus and susceptibility-related metabolites in the apoplast of mung bean leaves

KEY MESSAGE

The investigation of MYMIV-infected mung bean leaf apoplast revealed viral genome presence, increased EVs secretion, and altered stress-related metabolite composition, providing comprehensive insights into plant-virus interactions. The apoplast, an extracellular space around plant cells, plays a vital role in plant-microbe interactions, influencing signaling, defense, and nutrient transport. While the involvement of apoplast and extracellular vesicles (EVs) in RNA virus infection is documented, the role of the apoplast in plant DNA viruses remains unclear. This study explores the apoplast's role in mungbean yellow mosaic India virus (MYMIV) infection. Our findings demonstrate the presence of MYMIV genomic components in apoplastic fluid, suggesting potential begomovirus cell-to-cell movement via the apoplast. Moreover, MYMIV infection induces increased EVs secretion into the apoplast. NMR-based metabolomics reveals altered metabolic profiles in both apoplast and symplast in response to MYMIV infection, highlighting key metabolites associated with stress and defense mechanisms. The data show an elevation of α- and β-glucose in both apoplast and symplast, suggesting a shift in glucose utilization. Interestingly, this increase in glucose does not contribute to the synthesis of phenolic compounds, potentially influencing the susceptibility of mung bean to MYMIV. Fructose levels increase in the symplast, while apoplastic sucrose levels rise significantly. Symplastic aspartate levels increase, while proline exhibits elevated concentration in the apoplast and reduced concentration in the cytosol, suggesting a role in triggering a hypersensitive response. These findings underscore the critical role of the apoplast in begomovirus infection, providing insights for targeted viral disease management strategies.

Advances in Nanoplasmonic Biosensors: Optimizing Performance for Exosome Detection Applications

The development of sensitive and specific exosome detection tools is essential because they are believed to provide specific information that is important for early detection, screening, diagnosis, and monitoring of cancer. Among the many detection tools, surface-plasmon resonance (SPR) biosensors are analytical devices that offer advantages in sensitivity and detection speed, thereby making the sample-analysis process faster and more accurate. In addition, the penetration depth of the SPR biosensor, which is <300 nm, is comparable to the size of the exosome, making the SPR biosensor ideal for use in exosome research. On the other hand, another type of nanoplasmonic sensor, namely a localized surface-plasmon resonance (LSPR) biosensor, has a shorter penetration depth of around 6 nm. Structural optimization through the addition of supporting layers and gap control between particles is needed to strengthen the surface-plasmon field. This paper summarizes the progress of the development of SPR and LSPR biosensors for detecting exosomes. Techniques in signal amplification from two sensors will be discussed. There are three main parts to this paper. The first two parts will focus on reviewing the working principles of each sensor and introducing several methods that can be used to isolate exosomes. This article will close by explaining the various sensor systems that have been developed and the optimizations carried out to obtain sensors with better performance. To illustrate the performance improvements in each sensor system discussed, the parameters highlighted include the detection limit, dynamic range, and sensitivity.

In-line coupling of capillary-channeled polymer fiber columns with optical absorbance and multi-angle light scattering detection for the isolation and characterization of exosomes

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) have garnered much interest due to their fundamental role in intracellular communication and their potential utility in clinical diagnostics and as biotherapeutic vectors. Of particular relevance is the subset of EVs referred to as exosomes, ranging in size from 30 to 150 nm, which contain incredible amounts of information about their cell of origin, which can be used to track the progress of disease. As a complementary action, exosomes can be engineered with therapeutic cargo to selectively target diseases. At present, the lack of highly efficient methods of isolation/purification of exosomes from diverse biofluids, plants, and cell cultures is a major bottleneck in the fundamental biochemistry, clinical analysis, and therapeutic applications. Equally impactful, the lack of effective in-line means of detection/characterization of isolate populations, including concentration and sizing, is limiting in the applications. The method presented here couples hydrophobic interaction chromatography (HIC) performed on polyester capillary-channeled polymer (C-CP) fiber columns followed by in-line optical absorbance and multi-angle light scattering (MALS) detection for the isolation and characterization of EVs, in this case present in the supernatant of Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cell cultures. Excellent correlation was observed between the determined particle concentrations for the two detection methods. C-CP fiber columns provide a low-cost platform (< $5 per column) for the isolation of exosomes in a 15-min workflow, with complementary absorbance and MALS detection providing very high-quality particle concentration and sizing information.

Contribution of extracellular vesicles for the pathogenesis of retinal diseases: shedding light on blood-retinal barrier dysfunction

Retinal degenerative diseases, including diabetic retinopathy (DR) and age-related macular degeneration (AMD), loom as threats to vision, causing detrimental effects on the structure and function of the retina. Central to understanding these diseases, is the compromised state of the blood-retinal barrier (BRB), an effective barrier that regulates the influx of immune and inflammatory components. Whether BRB breakdown initiates retinal distress, or is a consequence of disease progression, remains enigmatic. Nevertheless, it is an indication of retinal dysfunction and potential vision loss.The intricate intercellular dialogues among retinal cell populations remain unintelligible in the complex retinal milieu, under conditions of inflammation and oxidative stress. The retina, a specialized neural tissue, sustains a ceaseless demand for oxygen and nutrients from two vascular networks. The BRB orchestrates the exchange of molecules and fluids within this specialized region, comprising the inner BRB (iBRB) and the outer BRB (oBRB). Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are small membranous structures, and act as messengers facilitating intercellular communication in this milieu.EVs, both from retinal and peripheral immune cells, increase complexity to BRB dysfunction in DR and AMD. Laden with bioactive cargoes, these EVs can modulate the retinal microenvironment, influencing disease progression. Our review delves into the multifaceted role of EVs in retinal degenerative diseases, elucidating the molecular crosstalk they orchestrate, and their microRNA (miRNA) content. By shedding light on these nanoscale messengers, from their biogenesis, release, to interaction and uptake by target cells, we aim to deepen the comprehension of BRB dysfunction and explore their therapeutic potential, therefore increasing our understanding of DR and AMD pathophysiology.

A comprehensive guide to extract information from extracellular vesicles: a tutorial review towards novel analytical developments

In the medical field, extracellular vesicles (EVs) are gaining importance as they act as cells mediators. These are phospholipid bilayer vesicles and contain crucial biochemical information about their mother cells being carrier of different biomolecules such as small molecules, proteins, lipids, and nucleic acids. After release into the extracellular matrix, they enter the systemic circulation and can be found in all human biofluids. Since EVs reflect the state of the cell of origin, there is exponential attention as potential source of new circulating biomarkers for liquid biopsy. The use of EVs in clinical practice faces several challenges that need to be addressed: these include the standardization of lysis protocols, the availability of low-cost reagents and the development of analytical tools capable of detecting biomarkers. The process of lysis is a crucial step that can impact all subsequent analyses, towards the development of novel analytical strategies. To aid researchers to support the evolution of measurement science technology, this tutorial review evaluates and discuss the most commonly protocols used to characterize the contents of EVs, including their advantages and disadvantages in terms of experimental procedures, time and equipment. The purpose of this tutorial review is to offer practical guide to researchers which are intended to develop novel analytical approaches. Some of the most significant applications are considered, highlighting their main characteristics divided per mechanism of action. Finally, comprehensive tables which provide an overview at a glance are provided to readers.

HaloTag display enables quantitative single-particle characterization and functionalization of engineered extracellular vesicles

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) play key roles in diverse biological processes, transport biomolecules between cells, and have been engineered for therapeutic applications. A useful EV bioengineering strategy is to express engineered proteins on the EV surface to confer targeting, bioactivity, and other properties. Measuring how incorporation varies across a population of EVs is important for characterizing such materials and understanding their function, yet it remains challenging to quantitatively characterize the absolute number of engineered proteins incorporated at single-EV resolution. To address these needs, we developed a HaloTag-based characterization platform in which dyes or other synthetic species can be covalently and stoichiometrically attached to engineered proteins on the EV surface. To evaluate this system, we employed several orthogonal quantification methods, including flow cytometry and fluorescence microscopy, and found that HaloTag-mediated quantification is generally robust across EV analysis methods. We compared HaloTag-labeling to antibody-labeling of EVs using single vesicle flow cytometry, enabling us to measure the substantial degree to which antibody labeling can underestimate proteins present on an EV. Finally, we demonstrate the use of HaloTag to compare between protein designs for EV bioengineering. Overall, the HaloTag system is a useful EV characterization tool which complements and expands existing methods.

Exosomes from uterine fluid promote capacitation of human sperm

Background

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are membrane-bound vesicles containing various proteins, lipids, and nucleic acids. EVs are found in many body fluids, such as blood and urine. The release of EVs can facilitate intercellular communication through fusion with the plasma membrane or endocytosis into the recipient cell or through internalization of the contents. Recent studies have reported that EVs isolated from human endometrial epithelial cells (EECs) promote sperm fertilization ability. EVs from uterine flushing fluid more closely resemble the physiological condition of the uterus. However, it is unclear whether EVs derived directly from uterine flushing fluid have the same effect on sperm. This study aimed to research the effect of EVs from uterine flushing fluid on sperm.

Methods

EVs were isolated from the uterine flushing fluid. The presence of EVs was confirmed by nanoparticle tracking analysis (NTA), Western blot, and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). EVs were incubated with human sperm for 2 h and 4 h. The effects of EVs on sperm were evaluated by analyzing acrosome reaction, sperm motility, and reactive oxygen species (ROS).

Results

The EVs fractions isolated from the uterine fluid were observed in cup-shaped vesicles of different sizes by TEM. All isolated vesicles contained similar numbers of vesicles in the expected size range (30-200 nm) by NTA. CD9 and CD63 were detected in EVs by western blot. Comparing the motility of the two groups incubated sperm motility significantly differed at 4 h. The acrosome reactions were promoted by incubating with EVs significantly. ROS were increased in sperm incubated with EVs.

Conclusion

Our results showed EVs present in the uterine fluid. Acrosome reactions and ROS levels increased in human sperm incubated with EVs. EVs from uterine fluid can promote the capacitation of human sperm. The increased capacitation after sperm interaction with EVs suggests a possible physiological effect during the transit of the uterus.

Canine Mesenchymal Stromal Cell Exosomes: State-of-the-Art Characterization, Functional Analysis and Applications in Various Diseases

Canine mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) possess the capacity to differentiate into a variety of cell types and secrete a wide range of bioactive molecules in the form of soluble and membrane-bound exosomes. Extracellular vesicles/exosomes are nano-sized vesicles that carry proteins, lipids, and nucleic acids and can modulate recipient cell response in various ways. The process of exosome formation is a physiological interaction between cells. With a significant increase in basic research over the last two decades, there has been a tremendous expansion in research in MSC exosomes and their potential applications in canine disease models. The characterization of exosomes has demonstrated considerable variations in terms of source, culture conditions of MSCs, and the inclusion of fetal bovine serum or platelet lysate in the cell cultures. Furthermore, the amalgamation of exosomes with various nano-materials has become a novel approach to the fabrication of nano-exosomes. The fabrication of exosomes necessitates the elimination of extrinsic proteins, thus enhancing their potential therapeutic uses in a variety of disease models, including spinal cord injury, osteoarthritis, and inflammatory bowel disease. This review summarizes current knowledge on the characteristics, biological functions, and clinical relevance of canine MSC exosomes and their potential use in human and canine research. As discussed, exosomes have the ability to control lethal vertebrate diseases by administration directly at the injury site or through specific drug delivery mechanisms.

Clinical significance of small extracellular vesicles in cholangiocarcinoma

Cholangiocarcinoma is an aggressive and heterogeneous malignancy originating from the bile duct epithelium. It is associated with poor prognosis and high mortality. The global incidence of cholangiocarcinoma is rising, and there is an urgent need for effective early diagnosis and treatment strategies to reduce the burden of this devastating tumor. Small extracellular vesicles, including exosomes and microparticles, are nanoscale vesicles formed by membranes that are released both normally and pathologically from cells, mediating the intercellular transfer of substances and information. Recent studies have demonstrated the involvement of small extracellular vesicles in numerous biological processes, as well as the proliferation, invasion, and metastasis of tumor cells. The present review summarizes the tumorigenic roles of small extracellular vesicles in the cholangiocarcinoma microenvironment. Owing to their unique composition, accessibility, and stability in biological fluids, small extracellular vesicles have emerged as ideal biomarkers for use in liquid biopsies for diagnosing and outcome prediction of cholangiocarcinoma. Specific tissue tropism, theoretical biocompatibility, low clearance, and strong biological barrier penetration of small extracellular vesicles make them suitable drug carriers for cancer therapy. Furthermore, the potential value of small extracellular vesicle-based therapies for cholangiocarcinoma is also reviewed.

Application of exosomes in tumor immunity: recent progresses

Exosomes are small extracellular vesicles secreted by cells, ranging in size from 30 to 150 nm. They contain proteins, nucleic acids, lipids, and other bioactive molecules, which play a crucial role in intercellular communication and material transfer. In tumor immunity, exosomes present various functions while the following two are of great importance: regulating the immune response and serving as delivery carriers. This review starts with the introduction of the formation, compositions, functions, isolation, characterization, and applications of exosomes, and subsequently discusses the current status of exosomes in tumor immunotherapy, and the recent applications of exosome-based tumor immunity regulation and antitumor drug delivery. Finally, current challenge and future prospects are proposed and hope to demonstrate inspiration for targeted readers in the field.

From molecular pathogenesis to therapy: Unraveling non-coding RNAs/DNMT3A axis in human cancers

Cancer is a comprehensive classification encompassing more than 100 forms of malignancies that manifest in diverse tissues within the human body. Recent studies have provided evidence that aberrant epigenetic modifications are pivotal indicators of cancer. Epigenetics encapsulates DNA methyltransferases as a crucial class of modifiers. DNMTs, including DNMT3A, assume central roles in DNA methylation processes that orchestrate normal biological functions, such as gene transcription, predominantly in mammals. Typically, deviations in DNMT3A function engender distortions in factors that drive tumor growth and progression, thereby exacerbating the malignant phenotype of tumors. Consequently, such abnormalities pose significant challenges in cancer therapy because they impede treatment efficacy. Non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) represent a group of RNA molecules that cannot encode functional proteins. Recent investigation attests to the crucial significance of regulatory ncRNAs in epigenetic regulation. Notably, recent reports have illuminated the complex interplay between ncRNA expression and epigenetic regulatory machinery, including DNMT3A, particularly in cancer. Recent findings have demonstrated that miRNAs, namely miR-770-5p, miR-101, and miR-145 exhibit the capability to target DNMT3A directly, and their aberration is implicated in diverse cellular abnormalities that predispose to cancer development. This review aims to articulate the interplay between DNMT3A and the ncRNAs, focusing on its impact on the development and progression of cancer, cancer therapy resistance, cancer stem cells, and prognosis. Importantly, the emergence of such reports that suggest a connection between DNMT3A and ncRNAs in several cancers indicates that this connecting axis offers a valuable target with significant therapeutic potential that might be exploited for cancer management.

Extracellular vesicle biomarkers in ocular fluids associated with ophthalmic diseases

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are released as highly stable lipid bilayer particles carrying proteins, lipids, glycans and miRNAs. The contents of EVs vary based on the cellular origin, biogenesis route and the functional state of the cell suggesting certain diseased conditions. A growing body of evidence show that EVs carry important molecules implicated in the development and progression of ophthalmic diseases. EVs associated with ophthalmic diseases are mainly carried by one of the three ocular biofluids which include tears, aqueous humor and vitreous humor. This review summarizes the list of EV derived biomarkers identified thus far in ocular fluids for ophthalmic disease diagnosis. Further, the methods used for sample collection, sample volume and the sample numbers used in these studies have been highlighted. Emphasis has been given to describe the EV isolation and the characterization methods used, EV size profiled and the EV concentrations analyzed by these studies, thus providing a roadmap for future EV biomarker studies in ocular fluids.

Extracellular Vesicles of Patients on Peritoneal Dialysis Inhibit the TGF-β- and PDGF-B-Mediated Fibrotic Processes

Among patients on peritoneal dialysis (PD), 50-80% will develop peritoneal fibrosis, and 0.5-4.4% will develop life-threatening encapsulating peritoneal sclerosis (EPS). Here, we investigated the role of extracellular vesicles (EVs) on the TGF-β- and PDGF-B-driven processes of peritoneal fibrosis. EVs were isolated from the peritoneal dialysis effluent (PDE) of children receiving continuous ambulatory PD. The impact of PDE-EVs on the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and collagen production of the peritoneal mesothelial cells and fibroblasts were investigated in vitro and in vivo in the chlorhexidine digluconate (CG)-induced mice model of peritoneal fibrosis. PDE-EVs showed spherical morphology in the 100 nm size range, and their spectral features, CD63, and annexin positivity were characteristic of EVs. PDE-EVs penetrated into the peritoneal mesothelial cells and fibroblasts and reduced their PDE- or PDGF-B-induced proliferation. Furthermore, PDE-EVs inhibited the PDE- or TGF-β-induced EMT and collagen production of the investigated cell types. PDE-EVs contributed to the mesothelial layer integrity and decreased the submesothelial thickening of CG-treated mice. We demonstrated that PDE-EVs significantly inhibit the PDGF-B- or TGF-β-induced fibrotic processes in vitro and in vivo, suggesting that EVs may contribute to new therapeutic strategies to treat peritoneal fibrosis and other fibroproliferative diseases.

Nanoscale sorting of extracellular vesicles via optically-induced dielectrophoresis on an integrated microfluidic system

We reported a microfluidic system for sorting of extracellular vesicles (EVs), which can house DNAs, RNAs, lipids, proteins, and metabolites that are important in intercellular communication. Their presence within bodily fluids has demonstrated potential in both clinical diagnostic and therapeutic applications. Furthermore, EVs exhibit distinct subtypes categorized by their sizes, each endowed with unique biophysical properties. Despite several existing techniques for EV isolation and purification, diminished purity and prolonged processing times still hamper clinical utility; comprehensive capture of EVs remains an ongoing pursuit. To address these challenges, we devised an innovative method for automated sorting of nano-scale EVs employing optically-induced dielectrophoresis on an integrated microfluidic chip. With this approach, EVs of three distinct size categories (small: 100-150 nm, medium-sized: 150-225 nm, and large: 225-350 nm) could be isolated at a purity of 86%. This new method has substantial potential in expediting EV research and diagnostics.

Efficient healing of diabetic wounds by MSC-EV-7A composite hydrogel via suppression of inflammation and enhancement of angiogenesis

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is characterized by prolonged hyperglycemia, impaired vascularization, and serious complications, such as blindness and chronic diabetic wounds. About 25% of patients with DM are estimated to encounter impaired healing of diabetic wounds, often leading to lower limb amputation. Multiple factors are attributed to the non-healing of diabetic wounds, including hyperglycaemia, chronic inflammation, and impaired angiogenesis. It is imperative to develop more efficient treatment strategies to tackle healing difficulties in diabetic wounds. Mesenchymal stem cell (MSC)-derived extracellular vesicles (EVs) are promising for diabetic wound healing considering their anti-inflammatory, pro-angiogenic and pro-proliferative activities. A histone deacetylase 7 (HDAC7)-derived 7-amino-acid peptide (7A) was shown to be highly effective for angiogenesis. However, it has never been investigated whether MSC-EVs are synergistic with 7A for the healing of diabetic wounds. Herein, we propose that MSC-EVs can be combined with 7A to greatly promote diabetic wound healing. The combination of EVs and 7A significantly improved the migration and proliferation of skin fibroblasts. Moreover, EVs alone significantly suppressed LPS-induced inflammation in macrophages, and notably, the combination treatment showed an even better suppression effect. Importantly, the in vivo study revealed that the combination therapy consisting of EVs and 7A in an alginate hydrogel was more efficient for the healing of diabetic wounds in rats than monotherapy using either EV or 7A hydrogels. The underlying mechanisms include suppression of inflammation, improvement of skin cell proliferation and migration, and enhanced collagen fiber disposition and angiogenesis in wounds. In summary, the MSC-EV-7A hydrogel potentially constitutes a novel therapy for efficient healing of chronic diabetic wounds.

DNA corona on nanoparticles leads to an enhanced immunostimulatory effect with implications for autoimmune diseases

Autoimmune and inflammatory diseases are highly complex, limiting treatment and the development of new therapies. Recent work has shown that cell-free DNA bound to biological microparticles is linked to systemic lupus erythematosus, a prototypic autoimmune disease. However, the heterogeneity and technical challenges associated with the study of biological particles have hindered a mechanistic understanding of their role. Our goal was to develop a well-controlled DNA-particle model system to understand how DNA-particle complexes affect cells. We first characterized the adsorption of DNA on the surface of polystyrene nanoparticles (200 nm and 2 µm) using transmission electron microscopy, dynamic light scattering, and colorimetric DNA concentration assays. We found that DNA adsorbed on the surface of nanoparticles was resistant to degradation by DNase 1. Macrophage cells incubated with the DNA-nanoparticle complexes had increased production of pro-inflammatory cytokines tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) and interleukin 6 (IL-6). We probed two intracellular DNA sensing pathways, toll-like receptor 9 (TLR9) and cyclic GMP-AMP synthase (cGAS)-stimulator of interferon genes (STING), to determine how cells sense the DNA-nanoparticle complexes. We found that the cGAS-STING pathway is the primary route for the interaction between DNA-nanoparticles and macrophages. These studies provide a molecular and cellular-level understanding of DNA-nanoparticle-macrophage interactions. In addition, this work provides the mechanistic information necessary for future in vivo experiments to elucidate the role of DNA-particle interactions in autoimmune diseases, providing a unique experimental framework to develop novel therapeutic approaches.

The role of the placenta-brain axis in psychoneuroimmune programming

Gestational exposures have enduring impacts on brain and neuroimmune development and function. Perturbations of pregnancy leading to placental structure/function deficits, cell stress, immune activation, and endocrine changes (metabolic, growth factors, etc.) all increase neuropsychiatric risk in offspring. The existing literature links obstetric diseases with placental involvement to offspring neuroimmune outcomes and neurodevelopmental risk. Psychoneuroimmune outcomes in offspring brain include changes to microglia, cytokine/chemokine production, cell stress, and long-term immunoreactivity. These outcomes are altered by structural, anti-angiogenic/hypoxic, inflammatory, and metabolic diseases of the placenta. This fetal programming occurs via direct placental passage or production of factors which can act directly on fetal brain substrates, or indirectly via action of circulating factors on intermediates in the placenta. Placental neuroendocrine, vascular/angiogenic, immune, and extracellular vesicular mechanisms are detailed. These mechanisms interact within various placental and pregnancy conditions. An increased understanding of the placental origins of psychoneuroimmunology will yield dividends for human health. Identifying maternal and placental biomarkers for fetal neuroimmune health may also revolutionize early diagnosis and precision psychiatry, empowering patients to make the best healthcare decisions for their families. Targeting placental mechanisms may be a valuable approach for the prevention and mitigation of intergenerational, lifelong neuropathology.

Flow cytometry: Aspects and application in plant and biological science

Flow cytometry is a potent method that enables the quick and concurrent investigation of several characteristics of single cells in solution. Photodiodes or photomultiplier tubes are employed to detect the dispersed and fluorescent light signals that are produced by the laser beam as it passes through the cells. Photodetectors transform the light signals produced by the laser into electrical impulses. A computer then analyses these electrical impulses to identify and measure the various cell populations depending on their fluorescence or light scattering characteristics. Based on their fluorescence or light scattering properties, cell populations can be examined and/or isolated. This review covers the basic principle, components, working and specific biological applications of flow cytometry, including studies on plant, cell and molecular biology and methods employed for data processing and interpretation as well as the potential future relevance of this methodology in light of retrospective analysis and recent advancements in flow cytometry.

Eimeria falciformis extracellular vesicles differentially express host cell lncRNAs

Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) are regulatory transcripts during protozoan infections in the host intestinal epithelial cells (IECs). Apicomplexan Eimeria falciformis sporozoite extracellular vesicles (EVs) contain virulence factors that modulate host IECs pro-inflammatory genes and immune responses. In this study, E. falciformis sporozoites were made to interact with inactivated host cells, and the parasite EVs were separated from total secretome by ultracentrifugation and purified on density gradient medium. Dose-dependent bio-activity of E. falciformis EVs was investigated by RNA sequencing, functional annotation and quantitative PCR. It was found that E. falciformis EVs induced mRNA, circRNA, and lncRNA expressions in mouse IECs. Of 38, 217 lncRNAs assembled, 157 and 152 were upwardly and downwardly expressed respectively. Differentially expressed lncRNAs were associated with cytokines, pyroptosis, and immune signaling pathways including FoxO, NF-κB, MAPK, and TGF-β. In essence, E. falciformis EVs altered host cell RNA expressions during the interaction with host IECs. Also, differentially expressed lncRNAs are potential diagnostic transcripts during Eimeria infections.

Engineered plant extracellular vesicles for natural delivery across physiological barriers

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are nanoscale luminal vesicles that participate in the information transfer of proteins, nucleic acids, and lipids between cells, thereby playing a role in the treatment of diseases and the delivery of nutrients. In recent years, plant-derived EVs (PDEVs) containing bioactive compounds have attracted increasing interest due to their better biocompatibility and lower cytotoxicity in healthy tissues. In the biomedical field, PDEVs have been used as cargo carriers to achieve various functions through engineering modification techniques. This review focuses on the biogenesis, isolation, and identification of PDEVs. We discuss the surface functionalization of PDEVs to enhance therapeutic efficacy, thereby improving their efficiency as a next-generation drug delivery vehicle and their feasibility to treat diseases across the physiological barriers, while critically analyzing the current challenges and opportunities.

Understanding exosomes: Part 1-Characterization, quantification and isolation techniques

Exosomes are the smallest subset of extracellular signaling vesicles secreted by most cells with a diameter in the range of 30-150 nm. Their use has gained great momentum recently due to their ability to be utilized as diagnostic tools with a vast array of therapeutic applications. Over 5000 publications are currently being published yearly on this topic, and this number is only expected to dramatically increase as novel therapeutic strategies continue to be investigated. This review article first focuses on understanding exosomes, including their cellular origin, biogenesis, function, and characterization. Thereafter, overviews of the quantification methods and isolation techniques are given with discussion over their potential use as novel therapeutics in regenerative medicine.

Human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cell-derived exosomes provide neuroprotection in traumatic brain injury through the lncRNA TUBB6/Nrf2 pathway

Recently, human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cell (HucMSC) is a new focus of research in neurological diseases, and the beneficial effect of HucMSC is mediated by paracrine factors which are transported by exosome. Our previous study has shown that HucMSC-derived exosome could provide neuroprotection after traumatic brain injury (TBI). However, the underlying mechanisms were not fully understood. In the present study, we found that administration of exosome suppressed TBI-induced inflammation and ferroptosis. In addition, exosome activated the long non-coding ribonucleic acid (lncRNA) TUBB6/nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) pathway after TBI. However, exosome partly failed to provide neuroprotection following TBI when TUBB6 was knockdown. Importantly, exosome treatment also decreased neuron cell death, suppressed inflammation, inhibited ferroptosis and activated the lncRNA TUBB6/Nrf2 pathway after TBI in vitro. Taken together, our results provided the first evidence that HucMSC-derived exosome played a key role in neuroprotection after TBI through the lncRNA TUBB6/Nrf2 pathway.

Advances in colorimetric biosensors of exosomes: novel approaches based on natural enzymes and nanozymes

Exosomes are 30-150 nm vesicles derived from diverse cell types, serving as one of the most important biomarkers for early diagnosis and prognosis of diseases. However, the conventional detection method for exosomes faces significant challenges, such as unsatisfactory sensitivity, complicated operation, and the requirement of complicated devices. In recent years, colorimetric exosome biosensors with a visual readout underwent rapid development due to the advances in natural enzyme-based assays and the integration of various types of nanozymes. These synthetic nanomaterials show unique physiochemical properties and catalytic abilities, enabling the construction of exosome colorimetric biosensors with novel principles. This review will illustrate the reaction mechanisms and properties of natural enzymes and nanozymes, followed by a detailed introduction of the recent advances in both types of enzyme-based colorimetric biosensors. A comparison between natural enzymes and nanozymes is made to provide insights into the research that improves the sensitivity and convenience of assays. Finally, the advantages, challenges, and future directions of enzymes as well as exosome colorimetric biosensors are highlighted, aiming at improving the overall performance from different approaches.

Advancements in Mid-Infrared spectroscopy of extracellular vesicles

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are lipid vesicles secreted by all cells into the extracellular space and act as nanosized biological messengers among cells. They carry a specific molecular cargo, composed of lipids, proteins, nucleic acids, and carbohydrates, which reflects the state of their parent cells. Due to their remarkable structural and compositional heterogeneity, characterizing EVs, particularly from a biochemical perspective, presents complex challenges. In this context, mid-infrared (IR) spectroscopy is emerging as a valuable tool, providing researchers with a comprehensive and label-free spectral fingerprint of EVs in terms of their specific molecular content. This review aims to provide an up-to-date critical overview of the major advancements in mid-IR spectroscopy of extracellular vesicles, encompassing both fundamental and applied research achievements. We also systematically emphasize the new possibilities offered by the integration of emerging cutting-edge IR technologies, such as tip-enhanced and surface-enhanced spectroscopy approaches, along with the growing use of machine learning for data analysis and spectral interpretation. Additionally, to assist researchers in navigating this intricate subject, our manuscript includes a wide and detailed collection of the spectral peaks that have been assigned to EV molecular constituents up to now in the literature.

Harnessing tumor-derived exosomes: A promising approach for the expansion of clinical diagnosis, prognosis, and therapeutic outcome of prostate cancer

Prostate cancer is the second leading cause of men's death worldwide. Although early diagnosis and therapy for localized prostate cancer have improved, the majority of men with metastatic disease die from prostate cancer annually. Therefore, identification of the cellular-molecular mechanisms underlying the progression of prostate cancer is essential for overcoming controlled proliferation, invasion, and metastasis. Exosomes are small extracellular vesicles that mediate most cells' interactions and contain membrane proteins, cytosolic and nuclear proteins, extracellular matrix proteins, lipids, metabolites, and nucleic acids. Exosomes play an essential role in paracrine pathways, potentially influencing Prostate cancer progression through a wide variety of mechanisms. In the present review, we outline and discuss recent progress in our understanding of the role of exosomes in the Prostate cancer microenvironment, like their involvement in prostate cancer occurrence, progression, angiogenesis, epithelial-mesenchymal transition, metastasis, and drug resistance. We also present the latest findings regarding the function of exosomes as biomarkers, direct therapeutic targets in prostate cancer, and the challenges and advantages associated with using exosomes as natural carriers and in exosome-based immunotherapy. These findings are a promising avenue for the expansion of potential clinical approaches.

Extracellular vesicle therapy for obesity-induced NAFLD: a comprehensive review of current evidence

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) as a chronic disease especially in Western countries, is still a tough question in the clinical therapy. With the rising prevalence of various chronic diseases, liver transplantation is expected to be the most common therapy after the next 10 years. However, there is still no approved drug for NAFLD, and targeted therapy for NAFLD is urgent. Exosomes as a kind of extracellular vesicle are cell-derived nanovesicles, which play an essential role in intercellular communication. Due to complex cell-cell interactions in the liver, exosomes as therapeutic drugs or drug delivery vesicles may be involved in physiological or pathological processes in NAFLD. Compared with other nanomaterials, exosomes as a cell-free therapy, are not dependent on cell number limitation, which means can be administered safely in high doses. Apart from this, exosomes with the advantages of being low-toxic, high stability, and low-immunological are chosen for targeted therapy for many diseases. In this review, firstly we introduced the extracellular vesicles, including the biogenesis, composition, isolation and characterization, and fundamental function of extracellular vesicles. And then we discussed the modification of extracellular vesicles, cargo packing, and artificial exosomes. Finally, the extracellular vesicles for the therapies of NAFLD are summarized. Moreover, we highlight therapeutic approaches using exosomes in the clinical treatment of NAFLD, which provide valuable insights into targeting NAFLD in the clinical setting.

Membrane Vesicles of Clostridioides difficile and Other Clostridial Species

Membrane vesicles are secreted by growing bacterial cells and are important components of the bacterial secretome, with a role in delivering effector molecules that ultimately enable bacterial survival. Membrane vesicles of Clostridioides difficile likely contribute to pathogenicity and is a new area of research on which there is currently very limited information. This chapter summarizes the current knowledge on membrane vesicle formation, content, methods of characterization and functions in Clostridia and model Gram-positive species.

CRISPR/Cas gene editing and delivery systems for cancer therapy

CRISPR/Cas systems stand out because of simplicity, efficiency, and other superiorities, thus becoming attractive and brilliant gene-editing tools in biomedical field including cancer therapy. CRISPR/Cas systems bring promises for cancer therapy through manipulating and engineering on tumor cells or immune cells. However, there have been concerns about how to overcome the numerous physiological barriers and deliver CRISPR components to target cells efficiently and accurately. In this review, we introduced the mechanisms of CRISPR/Cas systems, summarized the current delivery strategies of CRISPR/Cas systems by physical methods, viral vectors, and nonviral vectors, and presented the current application of CRISPR/Cas systems in cancer clinical treatment. Furthermore, we discussed prospects related to delivery approaches of CRISPR/Cas systems. This article is categorized under: Therapeutic Approaches and Drug Discovery > Emerging Technologies Therapeutic Approaches and Drug Discovery > Nanomedicine for Oncologic Disease.

MicroRNA-Mediated Antiproliferative Effects of M1 Macrophage-Derived Extracellular Vesicles on Melanoma Cells

INTRODUCTION

Research in tumor treatment has shown promising results using extracellular vesicles (EVs) derived from immune cells. EVs derived from M1 macrophages (proinflammatory), known as M1-EVs, have properties that suppress tumor growth, making them a promising treatment tool for immune susceptible tumors such as melanoma. Here, small unaltered M1-EVs (M1-sEVs) were employed in a 3D mouse melanoma model (melanospheres) to evaluate such activity.

METHODS

Macrophages were polarized and EVs were isolated by ultracentrifugation. The EVs obtained were characterized based on size, with measurements performed by dynamic light scattering and electron microscopy, and the expression profiles of microRNAs were analyzed by microarray and PCR. Melanospheres were used to evaluate the cytotoxicity of M1-sEVs. Pondering a possible future transposition from the animal model to the human, human melanoma cells were transfected with a specific miRNA, and the impact on cell proliferation was evaluated.

RESULTS

The isolated EVs showed a size distribution between 50-400 nm in diameter, but preeminently in a range of 70-90 nm. M1-sEVs demonstrated a remarkable ability to reduce cell proliferation and viability in the melanospheres, leading to a decrease in their volume. M1-sEVs contained unique miRNAs, including miR-29a-3p, which exhibited significant antitumor activities according to bioinformatics analysis. Validation of the antitumor effects of miR-29a-3p was obtained by a functional evaluation, i.e., by inducing miRNA overexpression in human melanoma cells (SK-MEL-28).

CONCLUSION

Although further research would be advisable, the study provides evidence supporting the potential of M1-sEVs and their miRNA load as a possible targeted immune therapy for melanoma.

Recent Advances in the Development of Membrane-derived Vesicles for Cancer Immunotherapy

The surface proteins on cell membranes enable the cells to have different properties, such as high biocompatibility, surface modifiability, and homologous targeting ability. Cell-membrane-derived vesicles have features identical to those of their parental cells, which makes them one of the most promising materials for drug delivery. Recently, as a result of the impressive effects of immunotherapy in cancer treatment, an increasing number of researchers have used cell-membrane-derived vesicles to enhance immune responses. To be more specific, the membrane vesicles derived from immune cells, tumor cells, bacteria, or engineered cells have the antigen presentation capacity and can trigger strong anti-tumor effects of the immune system. In this review, we first indicated a brief description of the vesicles and then introduced the detection technology and drug-loading methods for them. Secondly, we concluded the characteristics and applications of vesicles derived from different sources in cancer immunotherapy.

Extracellular vesicles remodel tumor environment for cancer immunotherapy

Tumor immunotherapy has transformed neoplastic disease management, yet low response rates and immune complications persist as major challenges. Extracellular vesicles including exosomes have emerged as therapeutic agents actively involved in a diverse range of pathological conditions. Mounting evidence suggests that alterations in the quantity and composition of extracellular vesicles (EVs) contribute to the remodeling of the immune-suppressive tumor microenvironment (TME), thereby influencing the efficacy of immunotherapy. This revelation has sparked clinical interest in utilizing EVs for immune sensitization. In this perspective article, we present a comprehensive overview of the origins, generation, and interplay among various components of EVs within the TME. Furthermore, we discuss the pivotal role of EVs in reshaping the TME during tumorigenesis and their specific cargo, such as PD-1 and non-coding RNA, which influence the phenotypes of critical immune cells within the TME. Additionally, we summarize the applications of EVs in different anti-tumor therapies, the latest advancements in engineering EVs for cancer immunotherapy, and the challenges encountered in clinical translation. In light of these findings, we advocate for a broader understanding of the impact of EVs on the TME, as this will unveil overlooked therapeutic vulnerabilities and potentially enhance the efficacy of existing cancer immunotherapies.

Exosomal microRNAs: implications in the pathogenesis and clinical applications of subarachnoid hemorrhage

Subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) is a severe acute neurological disorder with a high fatality rate. Early brain injury (EBI) and cerebral vasospasm are two critical complications of SAH that significantly contribute to poor prognosis. Currently, surgical intervention and interventional therapy are the main treatment options for SAH, but their effectiveness is limited. Exosomes, which are a type of extracellular vesicles, play a crucial role in intercellular communication and have been extensively studied in the past decade due to their potential influence on disease progression, diagnosis, and treatment. As one of the most important components of exosomes, miRNA plays both direct and indirect roles in affecting disease progression. Previous research has found that exosomal miRNA is involved in the development of various diseases, such as tumors, chronic hepatitis, atherosclerosis, diabetes, and SAH. This review focuses on exploring the impact of exosomal miRNA on SAH, including its influence on neuronal apoptosis, inflammatory response, and immune activation following SAH. Furthermore, this review highlights the potential clinical applications of exosomal miRNA in the treatment of SAH. Although current research on this topic is limited and the clinical application of exosomal miRNA has inherent limitations, we aim to provide a concise summary of existing research progress and offer new insights for future research directions and trends in this field.

Isolation and characterization of the morphology, size and particle number of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) and zebrafish (Danio rerio) cell line derived large and small extracellular vesicles

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are 50-1,000 nm lipid bilayer-bound vesicles, released into the extracellular environment by various cell types for intercellular communication purposes. The quantitative and qualitative characteristics of EVs can be affected by stress and pathological conditions. The majority of extracellular vesicle (EV) studies have been performed on mammalian cell lines or bodily fluids. EVs have been previously described from bodily fluids like plasma, serum or mucus in different fish species, however the available knowledge of fish cell line derived EVs is limited and in the vast majority of studies, the overall focus is on small EVs (< 200 nm). We isolated large and small extracellular vesicles from zebrafish (Danio rerio) liver (ZFL), rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) liver (RTL-W1), gill (RTgill-W1) and intestinal epithelial (RTgutGC) cell lines using stepwise centrifugation and characterized the size and morphology of EVs. Here we demonstrated that large and small extracellular vesicles can be successfully isolated using stepwise centrifugation from the serum-free medium of the selected piscine cell lines after a 24-h incubation period. The size distribution of large and small EVs isolated from the piscine cell lines suggest that large and small EV groups show high diversity in size ranges, containing heterogenous subpopulations in sizes, and the results highly depend on the applied method and whether filtration steps were included following the isolation. The spherical morphology of EVs was verified by transmission electron microscopy.

The effects of cetuximab and cisplatin anti-cancer drugs on the mechanical properties of the lung cancerous cells using atomic force microscope

Each anti-cancer drug has special effects on the target cells. One of the most important reasons to recommend an anti-cancer drug is related to the influences of it on the mechanical properties of the target cells. In this study, the effects of cetuximab and cisplatin anti-cancer drugs on the mechanical properties of A-549 and Calu-6 cells as the cancerous lung cells have been investigated. For both of the cells and anti-cancer drugs, MTT assessment has been used to define the convenient dosages for 24 and 48 h incubations based on IC50 concentration for the cell line viability. The mechanical specifications of the cells before and after treatment were obtained using nanoindentation by the JPK Instruments' NanoWizard3 atomic force microscope. The results show that cetuximab increases the stiffness of A-549 cell from 1225 to 3403 and 12 690 Pa for 24 and 48 h incubations. The influence of cetuximab on the Calu-6 shows that the elastic modulus after 24 and 48 h culture times increases about cisplatin anti-cancer drug, for A-549 cell indicates that the elastic modulus rises from 1225 to 1506 and 2375 Pa for 24 and 48 h, respectively. For Calu-6 cell, cisplatin has an important role to increase the stiffness of the cell. Applying cisplatin increases the elastic modulus from 33 to 682.8 Pa for 24 h and 1105 Pa after 48 h incubations.

Biochemical study of the effect of mesenchymal stem cells-derived exosome versus L-Dopa in experimentally induced Parkinson's disease in rats

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a chronic and ongoing neurological condition. Unfortunately, as the dopaminergic terminals continue to deteriorate, the effectiveness of anti-Parkinson therapy decreases. This study aimed to examine the effects of BM-MSCs-derived exosomes in rats induced with Parkinson's disease. The goal was to determine their potential for neurogenic repair and functional restoration. Forty male albino rats were divided into four groups: control (group I), PD (group II), PD-L-Dopa (group III), and PD-exosome (group IV). Motor tests, histopathological examinations, and immunohistochemistry for tyrosine hydroxylase were performed on brain tissue. The levels of α-synuclein, DJ-1, PARKIN, circRNA.2837, and microRNA-34b were measured in brain homogenates. Rotenone induced motor deficits and neuronal alterations. Groups (III) and (IV) showed improvement in motor function, histopathology, α-synuclein, PARKIN, and DJ-1 compared to group (II). Group (IV) showed improvement in microRNA-34b and circRNA.2837 compared to groups (III) and (II). MSC-derived exosomes showed a greater suppression of neurodegenerative disease (ND) compared to L-Dopa in Parkinson's patients.

Tumor cells-derived exosomal noncoding RNAs in cancer angiogenesis: Molecular mechanisms and prospective

Exosomes, heterogeneous, membrane-bound nanoparticles that originated from eukaryotic cells, contribute to intracellular communication by transferring various biomolecules both on their surface and as internal cargo. One of the most significant current discussions on cancer progression is noncoding RNAs cargo of exosomes, which can regulate angiogenesis in tumor. A growing body of evidence shows that exosomes from tumor cells contain various microRNAs, long noncoding RNAs, and circular RNAs that can promote tumor progression by inducing angiogenesis. However, some noncoding RNAs may inhibit cancer angiogenesis. Targeting angiogenic noncoding RNA of exosomes may serve as a hopeful implement for cancer therapy. In this review, we discuss the latest knowledge of the roles of exosomal noncoding RNAs in tumor angiogenesis Understanding the biology of exosomal noncoding RNAs can help scientists plan exosomes-based innovations for the treatment of cancer angiogenesis and cancer biomarkers.

Recent advances on high-efficiency of microRNAs in different types of lung cancer: a comprehensive review

Carcinoma of the lung is among the most common types of cancer globally. Concerning its histology, it is categorized as a non-small cell carcinoma (NSCLC) and a small cell cancer (SCLC) subtype. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are a member of non-coding RNA whose nucleotides range from 19 to 25. They are known to be critical regulators of cancer via epigenetic control of oncogenes expression and by regulating tumor suppressor genes. miRNAs have an essential function in a tumorous microenvironment via modulating cancer cell growth, metastasis, angiogenesis, metabolism, and apoptosis. Moreover, a wide range of information produced via several investigations indicates their tumor-suppressing, oncogenic, diagnostic assessment, and predictive marker functions in different types of lung malignancy. miRNA mimics or anti-miRNAs can be transferred into a lung cancer cell, with possible curative implications. As a result, miRNAs hold promise as targets for lung cancer treatment and detection. In this study, we investigate the different functions of various miRNAs in different types of lung malignancy, which have been achieved in recent years that show the lung cancer-associated regulation of miRNAs expression, concerning their function in lung cancer beginning, development, and resistance to chemotherapy, also the probability to utilize miRNAs as predictive biomarkers for therapy reaction.

Biological, pathological, and multifaceted therapeutic functions of exosomes to target cancer

Exosomes, small tiny vesicle contains a large number of intracellular particles that employ to cause various diseases and prevent several pathological events as well in the human body. It is considered a "double-edged sword", and depending on its biological source, the action of exosomes varies under physiological conditions. Also, the isolation and characterization of the exosomes should be performed accurately and the methodology also will vary depending on the exosome source. Moreover, the uptake of exosomes from the recipients' cells is a vital and initial step for all the physiological actions. There are different mechanisms present in the exosomes' cellular uptake to deliver their cargo to acceptor cells. Once the exosomal uptake takes place, it releases the intracellular particles that leads to activate the physiological response. Even though exosomes have lavish functions, there are some challenges associated with every step of their preparation to bring potential therapeutic efficacy. So, overcoming the pitfalls would give a desired quantity of exosomes with high purity.

Perilla-Leaf-Derived Extracellular Vesicles Selectively Inhibit Breast Cancer Cell Proliferation and Invasion

Breast cancer is a common type of cancer characterized by high mortality rates. However, chemotherapy is not selective and often leads to side-effects. Therefore, there is a need for the development of highly efficient drugs. Recent studies have shown that some extracellular vesicles (EVs) derived from cell cultures possess anti-cancer activity and hold great potential as cancer therapeutics. However, the use of mammalian cell cultures for EV production results in low productivity and high costs. To address this issue, extracellular vesicles derived from perilla leaves (Perex) were isolated and investigated for their anti-cancer activity in various cancer cells. Initially, a high concentration of Perex with a low level of impurities was successfully purified through a combination of ultrafiltration and size-exclusion chromatography. Perex exhibited potent anti-cancer activities, inhibiting the proliferation, migration, and invasion of MDA-MB-231 cancer cells, which have high levels of caveolin-1 compared to other cancer and normal cells. This selective attack on cancer cells with high levels of caveolin-1 reduces unwanted side-effects on normal cells. Considering its high productivity, low production cost, selective anti-cancer activity, and minimal side-effects, Perex represents a promising candidate for the therapeutic treatment of breast cancer.

Exosomes in Cancer Progression and Therapy Resistance: Molecular Insights and Therapeutic Opportunities

The development of therapy resistance still represents a major hurdle in treating cancers, leading to impaired treatment success and increased patient morbidity. The establishment of minimally invasive liquid biopsies is a promising approach to improving the early diagnosis, as well as therapy monitoring, of solid tumors. Because of their manifold functions in the tumor microenvironment, tumor-associated small extracellular vesicles, referred to as exosomes, have become a subject of intense research. Besides their important roles in cancer progression, metastasis, and the immune response, it has been proposed that exosomes also contribute to the acquisition and transfer of therapy resistance, mainly by delivering functional proteins and RNAs, as well as facilitating the export of active drugs or functioning as extracellular decoys. Extensive research has focused on understanding the molecular mechanisms underlying the occurrence of resistance and translating these into strategies for early detection. With this review, we want to provide an overview of the current knowledge about the (patho-)biology of exosomes, as well as state-of-the-art methods of isolation and analysis. Furthermore, we highlight the role of exosomes in tumorigenesis and cancer treatment, where they can function as therapeutic agents, biomarkers, and/or targets. By focusing on their roles in therapy resistance, we will reveal new paths of exploiting exosomes for cancer diagnosis and treatment.

Engineered Exosomes as Theranostic Platforms for Cancer Treatment

Tremendous progress in nanotechnology and nanomedicine has made a significant positive effect on cancer treatment by integrating multicomponents into a single multifunctional nanosized delivery system for combinatorial therapies. Although numerous nanocarriers developed so far have achieved excellent therapeutic performance in mouse models via elegant integration of chemotherapy, photothermal therapy, photodynamic therapy, sonodynamic therapy, and immunotherapy, their synthetic origin may still cause systemic toxicity, immunogenicity, and preferential detection or elimination by the immune system. Exosomes, endogenous nanosized particles secreted by multiple biological cells, could be absorbed by recipient cells to facilitate intercellular communication and content delivery. Therefore, exosomes have emerged as novel cargo delivery tools and attracted considerable attention for cancer diagnosis and treatment due to their innate stability, biological compatibility, and biomembrane penetration capacity. Exosome-related properties and functions have been well-documented; however, there are few reviews, to our knowledge, with a focus on the combination of exosomes and nanotechnology for the development of exosome-based theranostic platforms. To make a timely review on this hot subject of research, we summarize the basic information, isolation and functionalization methodologies, diagnostic and therapeutic potential of exosomes in various cancers with an emphasis on the description of exosome-related nanomedicine for cancer theranostics. The existing appealing challenges and outlook in exosome clinical translation are finally introduced. Advanced biotechnology and nanotechnology will definitely not only promote the integration of intrinsic advantages of natural nanosized exosomes with traditional synthetic nanomaterials for modulated precise cancer treatment but also contribute to the clinical translations of exosome-based nanomedicine as theranostic nanoplatforms.

Immunomodulatory Potential of Fungal Extracellular Vesicles: Insights for Therapeutic Applications

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are membranous vesicular organelles that perform a variety of biological functions including cell communication across different biological kingdoms. EVs of mammals and, to a lesser extent, bacteria have been deeply studied over the years, whereas investigations of fungal EVs are still in their infancy. Fungi, encompassing both yeast and filamentous forms, are increasingly recognized for their production of extracellular vesicles (EVs) containing a wealth of proteins, lipids, and nucleic acids. These EVs play pivotal roles in orchestrating fungal communities, bolstering pathogenicity, and mediating interactions with the environment. Fungal EVs have emerged as promising candidates for innovative applications, not only in the management of mycoses but also as carriers for therapeutic molecules. Yet, numerous questions persist regarding fungal EVs, including their mechanisms of generation, release, cargo regulation, and discharge. This comprehensive review delves into the present state of knowledge regarding fungal EVs and provides fresh insights into the most recent hypotheses on the mechanisms driving their immunomodulatory properties. Furthermore, we explore the considerable potential of fungal EVs in the realms of medicine and biotechnology. In the foreseeable future, engineered fungal cells may serve as vehicles for tailoring cargo- and antigen-specific EVs, positioning them as invaluable biotechnological tools for diverse medical applications, such as vaccines and drug delivery.

Investigation of the effect of pre-analytical factors on particle concentration and size in cryoprecipitate using nanoparticle tracking analysis

BACKGROUND

Cryoprecipitate is used primarily to replenish fibrinogen levels in patients. Little is known about the presence of micro- or nano-sized particles in cryoprecipitate. Therefore, we aimed to quantify these particles and investigate some pre-analytical considerations.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Particle concentration and size distribution were determined in 10 cryoprecipitate units by nanoparticle tracking analysis (NTA). The effects of freeze-thawing cryoprecipitate and 0.45 μm filtration with either regenerated cellulose (RC) or polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) filters before sample analysis were examined.

RESULTS

Neither the size nor concentration of particles were affected by two freeze/thaw cycles. PTFE filtration, but not RC filtration, significantly reduced particle mean and mode size compared to RC filtration and mode size compared to unfiltered cryoprecipitate. The 10 cryoprecipitate units had an average particle concentration of 2.50 × 1011  ± 1.10 × 1011  particles/mL, a mean particle size of 133.8 ± 7.5 nm and a mode particle size of 107.9 ± 11.1 nm.

CONCLUSION

This study demonstrated that preanalytical filtration of cryoprecipitate units using RC filters was suitable for NTA. An additional freeze/thaw cycle did not impact NTA parameters, suggesting that aliquoting cryoprecipitate units prior to laboratory investigations is suitable for downstream analyses.