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Wang J, Barr MM, Wehman AM. Extracellular vesicles. Genetics 2024:iyae088. [PMID: 38884207 DOI: 10.1093/genetics/iyae088] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2024] [Accepted: 05/21/2024] [Indexed: 06/18/2024] Open
Abstract
Extracellular vesicles (EVs) encompass a diverse array of membrane-bound organelles released outside cells in response to developmental and physiological cell needs. EVs play important roles in remodeling the shape and content of differentiating cells and can rescue damaged cells from toxic or dysfunctional content. EVs can send signals and transfer metabolites between tissues and organisms to regulate development, respond to stress or tissue damage, or alter mating behaviors. While many EV functions have been uncovered by characterizing ex vivo EVs isolated from body fluids and cultured cells, research using the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans has provided insights into the in vivo functions, biogenesis, and uptake pathways. The C. elegans EV field has also developed methods to analyze endogenous EVs within the organismal context of development and adult physiology in free-living, behaving animals. In this review, we summarize major themes that have emerged for C. elegans EVs and their relevance to human health and disease. We also highlight the diversity of biogenesis mechanisms, locations, and functions of worm EVs and discuss open questions and unexplored topics tenable in C. elegans, given the nematode model is ideal for light and electron microscopy, genetic screens, genome engineering, and high-throughput omics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juan Wang
- Department of Genetics, Human Genetics Institute of New Jersey, Rutgers University, Piscataway, NJ 08854, USA
| | - Maureen M Barr
- Department of Genetics, Human Genetics Institute of New Jersey, Rutgers University, Piscataway, NJ 08854, USA
| | - Ann M Wehman
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Denver, Denver, CO 80210, USA
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Ma J, Wang YT, Chen LH, Yang BY, Jiang YZ, Wang LX, Chen ZQ, Ma GR, Fang LQ, Wang ZB. Dauer larva-derived extracellular vesicles extend the life of Caenorhabditis elegans. Biogerontology 2023:10.1007/s10522-023-10030-5. [PMID: 37052773 PMCID: PMC10267011 DOI: 10.1007/s10522-023-10030-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2023] [Accepted: 03/21/2023] [Indexed: 04/14/2023]
Abstract
There is growing evidence that extracellular vesicles (EVs) play a functional role in tissue repair and anti-aging by transferring the contents of donor cells to recipient cells. We hypothesized that Dauer (C. elegans), known as "ageless" nematodes, can also secrete extracellular vesicles and influence the lifespan of C. elegans. Here, we isolated EVs of dauer larvae (dauer EVs). Dauer EVs were characterized using transmission electron microscopy, nanoparticle tracking analysis (NTA), and Western blot analysis. Wild-type C. elegans were fed in the presence or absence of dauer EVs and tested for a range of phenotypes, including longevity, mobility and reproductive capacity. Results showed that dauer EVs increased the average lifespan of nematodes by 15.74%, improved mobility, slowed age-related pigmentation as well as body length, and reduced the accumulation of reactive oxygen species and lipids, while not impairing nematode reproductive capacity. These findings suggest that dauer EVs can extend the lifespan of C. elegans as well as the healthy lifespan by reducing ROS accumulation, with potential anti-aging capacity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing Ma
- State Key Laboratory of Ultrasound in Medicine and Engineering, College of Biomedical Engineering, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400016, China
| | - Yi-Ting Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Ultrasound in Medicine and Engineering, College of Biomedical Engineering, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400016, China
| | - Ling-Hui Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Ultrasound in Medicine and Engineering, College of Biomedical Engineering, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400016, China
| | - Bang-Ya Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Ultrasound in Medicine and Engineering, College of Biomedical Engineering, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400016, China
| | - Yong-Zhu Jiang
- State Key Laboratory of Ultrasound in Medicine and Engineering, College of Biomedical Engineering, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400016, China
| | - Lan-Xi Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Ultrasound in Medicine and Engineering, College of Biomedical Engineering, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400016, China
| | - Zhi-Qi Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Ultrasound in Medicine and Engineering, College of Biomedical Engineering, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400016, China
| | - Guan-Rong Ma
- State Key Laboratory of Ultrasound in Medicine and Engineering, College of Biomedical Engineering, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400016, China
| | - Liao-Qiong Fang
- State Key Laboratory of Ultrasound in Medicine and Engineering, College of Biomedical Engineering, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400016, China.
- National Engineering Research Center of Ultrasound Medicine, Chongqing, 401121, China.
| | - Zhi-Biao Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Ultrasound in Medicine and Engineering, College of Biomedical Engineering, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400016, China.
- National Engineering Research Center of Ultrasound Medicine, Chongqing, 401121, China.
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Trabelcy B, Gerchman Y, Sapir A. A sterol-defined system for quantitative studies of sterol metabolism in C. elegans. STAR Protoc 2021; 2:100710. [PMID: 34409305 PMCID: PMC8361321 DOI: 10.1016/j.xpro.2021.100710] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
This protocol describes the culturing of the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans (C. elegans) in a sterol-defined experimental system and the subsequent quantitative analysis of C. elegans sterols through gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Although studied primarily in mammals, sterols are essential biomolecules for most eukaryotes. C. elegans cannot synthesize sterols and thus relies on the uptake of dietary sterols. Therefore, C. elegans is a powerful system to study metabolism in sterol-defined conditions that are described in our protocol. For complete details on the use and execution of this protocol, please refer to Shamsuzzama et al. (2020).
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Affiliation(s)
- Benjamin Trabelcy
- Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of Haifa, Haifa 3498838 Israel
- Corresponding author
| | - Yoram Gerchman
- Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of Haifa, Haifa 3498838 Israel
| | - Amir Sapir
- Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of Haifa, Haifa 3498838 Israel
- Corresponding author
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Thakur A, Ke X, Chen YW, Motallebnejad P, Zhang K, Lian Q, Chen HJ. The mini player with diverse functions: extracellular vesicles in cell biology, disease, and therapeutics. Protein Cell 2021; 13:631-654. [PMID: 34374936 PMCID: PMC9233731 DOI: 10.1007/s13238-021-00863-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2021] [Accepted: 07/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are tiny biological nanovesicles ranging from approximately 30-1000 nm in diameter that are released into the extracellular matrix of most cell types and in biofluids. The classification of EVs includes exosomes, microvesicles, and apoptotic bodies, dependent on various factors such as size, markers, and biogenesis pathways. The transition of EV relevance from that of being assumed as a trash bag to be a key player in critical physiological and pathological conditions has been revolutionary in many ways. EVs have been recently revealed to play a crucial role in stem cell biology and cancer progression via intercellular communication, contributing to organ development and the progression of cancer. This review focuses on the significant research progress made so far in the role of the crosstalk between EVs and stem cells and their niche, and cellular communication among different germ layers in developmental biology. In addition, it discusses the role of EVs in cancer progression and their application as therapeutic agents or drug delivery vehicles. All such discoveries have been facilitated by tremendous technological advancements in EV-associated research, especially the microfluidics systems. Their pros and cons in the context of characterization of EVs are also extensively discussed in this review. This review also deliberates the role of EVs in normal cell processes and disease conditions, and their application as a diagnostic and therapeutic tool. Finally, we propose future perspectives for EV-related research in stem cell and cancer biology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abhimanyu Thakur
- The Pritzker School of Molecular Engineering, The University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, USA.,The Ben May Department for Cancer Research, The University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Xiaoshan Ke
- The Pritzker School of Molecular Engineering, The University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, USA.,The Ben May Department for Cancer Research, The University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Ya-Wen Chen
- Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine, Department of Medicine, Keck School of Medicine, Hastings Center for Pulmonary Research, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, 90089, USA.,Department of Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Biology, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, 90089, USA
| | - Pedram Motallebnejad
- The Pritzker School of Molecular Engineering, The University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, USA.,The Ben May Department for Cancer Research, The University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Kui Zhang
- The Pritzker School of Molecular Engineering, The University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, USA.,The Ben May Department for Cancer Research, The University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Qizhou Lian
- Department of Medicine, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pok Fu Lam, Hong Kong. .,Prenatal Diagnostic Center and Cord Blood Bank, Guangzhou Women and Children's Medical Center, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China. .,HKUMed Laboratory of Cellular Therapeutics, the University of Hong Kong, Pok Fu Lam, Hong Kong.
| | - Huanhuan Joyce Chen
- The Pritzker School of Molecular Engineering, The University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, USA. .,The Ben May Department for Cancer Research, The University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, USA.
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Composition of Caenorhabditis elegans extracellular vesicles suggests roles in metabolism, immunity, and aging. GeroScience 2020; 42:1133-1145. [PMID: 32578074 DOI: 10.1007/s11357-020-00204-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2020] [Accepted: 05/11/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
The nematode Caenorhabditis elegans has been instrumental in the identification of evolutionarily conserved mechanisms of aging. C. elegans also has recently been found to have evolutionarily conserved extracellular vesicle (EV) signaling pathways. We have been developing tools that allow for the detailed study of EV biology in C. elegans. Here we apply our recently published method for high specificity purification of EVs from C. elegans to carry out target-independent proteomic and RNA analysis of nematode EVs. We identify diverse coding and non-coding RNA and protein cargo types commonly found in human EVs. The EV cargo spectrum is distinct from whole worms, suggesting that protein and RNA cargos are actively recruited to EVs. Gene ontology analysis revealed C. elegans EVs are enriched for extracellular-associated and signaling proteins, and network analysis indicates enrichment for metabolic, immune, and basement membrane associated proteins. Tissue enrichment and gene expression analysis suggests the secreted EV proteins are likely to be derived from intestine, muscle, and excretory tissue. An unbiased comparison of the EV proteins with a large database of C. elegans genome-wide microarray data showed significant overlap with gene sets that are associated with aging and immunity. Taken together our data suggest C. elegans could be a promising in vivo model for studying the genetics and physiology of EVs in a variety of contexts including aging, metabolism, and immune response.
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