Exosome RNA Exosome RNA Research & Industry News
Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are small vesicles ensuring transport of molecules between cells and throughout the body. EVs contain cell type-specific signatures and have been proposed as biomarkers in a variety of diseases. Their small size (<1 μm) and biological and physical functions make them obvious candidates for therapeutic agents in immune therapy, vaccination, regenerative medicine and drug delivery. However, due to the complexity and heterogeneity of their origin and composition, the actual mechanism through which these vesicles exert their functions is still unknown and represents a great biomedical challenge. Moreover, because of their small dimensions, the quantification, size distribution and biophysical characterization of these particles are challenging and still subject to controversy.
Here, researchers at Elettra, Sincrotrone Trieste address the advantage of atomic force microscopy (AFM), for the characterization of isolated EVs. They review AFM imaging of EVs immobilized on different substrates (mica, glass) to identify the influence of isolation and deposition methods on the size distribution, morphology and mechanical properties of EVs.
Schematic of the workflow for EXOs analysis
Biosamples are collected and/or cells are cultured on Petri dishes. Exosomes are subsequently extracted and isolated from the extracellular medium collected after confluence of cells or directly from the biofluid of interest (blood, saliva, urine). EXOs are then deposited on the substrate (mica, glass) and analyzed with AFM
