Article
Chemistry, Physical
Carolina Paba, Virginia Dorigo, Beatrice Senigagliesi, Nicola Tormena, Pietro Parisse, Kislon Voitchovsky, Loredana Casalis
Summary: This study investigates the interaction between small extracellular vesicles (sEVs) released from triple-negative breast cancer cells and synthetic model membranes. The results show that the fluidity of the membranes plays a crucial role in the uptake of sEVs, with stronger interaction and fusion occurring in less fluid regions.
JOURNAL OF COLLOID AND INTERFACE SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Valeria Orru, Francesca Virdis, Michele Marongiu, Valentina Serra, David Schlessinger, Marcella Devoto, Francesco Cucca, Edoardo Fiorillo
Summary: Extracellular vesicles (EVs) mediate cell interactions in biological processes. This study evaluated blood levels of EVs and platelet traits and conducted the first genome-wide association study (GWAS) on these traits. The results showed that EV levels decrease with age and are influenced by genetic factors. Several significant genetic signals were identified, suggesting that EV formation is not solely dependent on metabolic regulation.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Mladenka Malenica, Marija Vukomanovic, Mario Kurtjak, Valentina Masciotti, Simone dal Zilio, Silvio Greco, Marco Lazzarino, Vedrana Krusic, Marko Percic, Ivana Jelovica Badovinac, Karmen Wechtersbach, Ivona Vidovic, Vanja Baricevic, Srecko Valic, Pero Lucin, Nika Kojc, Kristina Grabusic
Summary: Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are nanometric membranous structures secreted by cells and found in biofluids, with potential for diagnostic and prognostic purposes related to tissue states. Detailed characterisation through imaging techniques like atomic force microscopy (AFM) and electron microscopy (EM) is essential for EV usage. This study examines EV preparation protocols for AFM and EM, highlighting challenges in imaging EVs in different environments and discussing approaches for imaging with potential benefits and drawbacks. Examples using cerebrospinal fluid illustrate the complexities of EV morphology research, aiming to improve standardisation in sample preparation and microscopy methods.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Aleksandra Borek-Dorosz, Anna Pieczara, Krzysztof Czamara, Marta Stojak, Ewelina Matuszyk, Katarzyna Majzner, Krzysztof Brzozowski, Arianna Bresci, Dario Polli, Malgorzata Baranska
Summary: In this study, the functionality of inflamed cells was verified by analyzing their ability to uptake and accumulate exogenous saturated fatty acids. The results showed that the uptake of fatty acids in inflamed cells is dependent on their concentration and type, providing a better understanding of endothelial cell inflammation and its impact on their fat buffering capacity. The microscopic methods used in the analysis showed complementarity in studying fatty acid uptake by endothelial cells from different perspectives.
CELLULAR AND MOLECULAR LIFE SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Raffaella Polito, Mattia Musto, Maria Eleonora Temperini, Laura Ballerini, Michele Ortolani, Leonetta Baldassarre, Loredana Casalis, Valeria Giliberti
Summary: Extracellular vesicles, membrane-delimited structures involved in inter-cellular communication, have been identified as possible biomarkers of pathological diseases. A study was conducted using infrared nanospectroscopy to analyze microvesicles released by glial cells, revealing two main populations of vesicles with subtle differences in nucleic acid content.
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Andrea Hujacova, Jan Sirc, Kristyna Pekarkova, Tereza Brozova, Marie Kostelanska, Jakub Soukup, Tibor Mosko, Karel Holada, Zbynek Stranak
Summary: Different biomarkers were investigated to detect the causes of severe complications in preterm infants. It was found that the counts of EVs in cord blood did not show significant differences between preterm and control groups, and there was no correlation with gestation age. Furthermore, samples with high levels of free hemoglobin had significantly higher counts of certain types of EVs. Further studies using more sensitive cytometers are needed to confirm the findings.
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Michael LeClaire, James A. Wohlschlegel, Helena Chang, Madhuri Wadehra, Weibo Yu, JianYu Rao, David Elashoff, James K. Gimzewski, Shivani Sharma
Summary: This study compared the structure-mechanical properties of breast cancer cell-derived sEVs and their secreting cells, revealing a decrease in Young's modulus of sEVs as cells progress from non-tumor to invasive breast cancer phenotypes. Additionally, analysis of sEVs from breast cancer patients showed alterations in biomechanical properties compared to healthy controls. The findings suggest that precise biomechanical fingerprinting of single nanoscale sEVs could be a useful approach for detecting changes in parental cells during malignant transformation.
ACS APPLIED NANO MATERIALS
(2021)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Jakub Soukup, Marie Kostelanska, Sami Kereiche, Andrea Hujacova, Miluse Pavelcova, Jiri Petrak, Eva Kubala Havrdova, Karel Holada
Summary: The number of people with multiple sclerosis (MS) is increasing in developed countries, but there is a lack of reliable laboratory tests to accurately reflect the disease activity. It has been found that extracellular vesicles (EVs) are elevated in MS patients. Flow cytometry analysis of fresh large EVs (lEVs) isolated from the blood plasma of relapsing remitting MS patients showed slightly reduced levels of certain lEVs in patients experiencing acute relapse.
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL MEDICINE
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Karin Strohmeier, Martina Hofmann, Fabian Hauser, Dmitry Sivun, Sujitha Puthukodan, Andreas Karner, Georg Sandner, Pol-Edern Le Renard, Jaroslaw Jacak, Mario Mairhofer
Summary: Research found that EVs modified with CRISPR/Cas9 technology have a higher proportion of single-GFP-labeled particles compared to conventionally over-expressed EVs. This approach can reduce bias caused by over-expression, and the modified EVs can be accurately detected and distinguished in cells.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Cell Biology
Estefania Lozano-Andres, Agustin Enciso-Martinez, Abril Gijsbers, Andrea Ridolfi, Guillaume Van Niel, Sten F. W. M. Libregts, Claudio Pinheiro, Martijn J. C. van Herwijnen, An Hendrix, Marco Brucale, Francesco Valle, Peter J. Peters, Cees Otto, Ger J. A. Arkesteijn, Marca H. M. Wauben
Summary: Extracellular vesicles (EVs) in blood plasma have potential as biomarkers for disease. However, analyzing EVs at the single particle level is challenging due to the complexity of plasma. This study investigates the presence and formation of EV-lipoproteins particles (LPPs) complexes, and the impact of LPPs on EV analysis and biomarker profiling. The results demonstrate that EV-LPP complexes can form under physiological conditions, and the presence of LPPs can influence the quantitative and qualitative analysis of EVs.
JOURNAL OF EXTRACELLULAR VESICLES
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Siyuan Ye, Wenzhe Li, Huayi Wang, Ling Zhu, Chen Wang, Yanlian Yang
Summary: In this study, the nanomechanical properties of human breast cancer cell-derived sEVs were quantitatively investigated using atomic force microscopy (AFM). It was found that the stiffness and osmotic pressure of sEVs increase with malignancy and decrease with size, while the bending modulus decreases with malignancy and is lower in smaller sEVs. This research establishes a relationship between the nanomechanical signature of sEVs and tumor malignancy, contributing to a better understanding of cancer mechanobiology.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Marta Z. Pacia, Natalia Chorazy, Magdalena Sternak, Benedikt Fels, Michal Pacia, Mariusz Kepczynski, Kristina Kusche-Vihrog, Stefan Chlopicki
Summary: In this study, the role of Rac1 in TNF-induced vascular inflammation was investigated. It was found that Rac1 mediated the formation of lipid droplets and nanostructural alterations associated with vascular inflammation.
CELLULAR AND MOLECULAR LIFE SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Neurosciences
Canan Bagci, Melike Sever-Bahcekapili, Nevin Belder, Adam P. S. Bennett, Sefik Evren Erdener, Turgay Dalkara
Summary: Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are small nanoparticles that carry bioactive molecules between cells and participate in intercellular communication. This article discusses commonly used techniques for characterizing EVs, including dynamic light scattering, nanoparticle tracking analysis, flow cytometry, electron microscopy, and optical methods. It also introduces an innovative technique using confocal microscopy to identify molecular heterogeneity in EVs.
Article
Clinical Neurology
Jacopo Burrello, Giovanni Bianco, Alessio Burrello, Concetta Manno, Francesco Maulucci, Marco Pileggi, Stefania Nannoni, Patrik Michel, Sara Bolis, Giorgia Melli, Giuseppe Vassalli, Gregory W. Albers, Alessandro Cianfoni, Lucio Barile, Carlo W. Cereda
Summary: Extracellular vesicles (EVs) show potential as biomarkers for cerebral ischemic diseases, with their surface antigen profile differing in patients with suspected transient ischemic attacks (TIAs) compared to healthy controls. By analyzing EV concentrations and specific EV surface antigen profiles, a predictive model for diagnosing TIA was developed, showing promising diagnostic accuracy in discriminating patients with high likelihood of TIAs.
Article
Oncology
Sixian You, Eric J. Chaney, Haohua Tu, Yi Sun, Saurabh Sinha, Stephen A. Boppart
Summary: The computational pipeline allows for quantitative analysis of the tumor microenvironment, revealing extensive tissue reorganization and formation of a patterned cell-EV neighborhood in the cancerous tissue. This opens possibilities for better characterization and utilization of the evolving cancer landscape.
Review
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Sean M. Davidson, Chantal M. Boulanger, Elena Aikawa, Lina Badimon, Lucio Barile, Christoph J. Binder, Alain Brisson, Edit Buzas, Costanza Emanueli, Felix Jansen, Miroslava Katsur, Romaric Lacroix, Sai Kiang Lim, Nigel Mackman, Manuel Mayr, Philippe Menasche, Rienk Nieuwland, Susmita Sahoo, Kaloyan Takov, Thomas Thum, Pieter Vader, Marca H. M. Wauben, Kenneth Witwer, Joost P. G. Sluijter
Summary: This article provides an overview of the techniques and technologies available for the separation and characterization of EVs from different sources. It discusses methods for determining the protein, RNA, and lipid content of EVs. The guidance provided in this document is important for investigating the role of EVs in cardiovascular diseases and highlights key methodological issues to consider.
CARDIOVASCULAR RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Kimi Azad, Delphine Guilligay, Cecile Boscheron, Sourav Maity, Nicola De Franceschi, Guidenn Sulbaran, Gregory Effantin, Haiyan Wang, Jean-Philippe Kleman, Patricia Bassereau, Guy Schoehn, Wouter H. Roos, Ambroise Desfosses, Winfried Weissenhorn
Summary: This study presents cryo-EM structures of membrane-coated CHMP2A-CHMP3 filaments from Homo sapiens, which reveal helical filaments assembled by CHMP2A-CHMP3 heterodimers in the open ESCRT-III conformation. Inter-filament interactions are electrostatic, facilitating filament sliding upon VPS4-mediated polymer remodeling. Fluorescence microscopy and high-speed atomic force microscopy imaging confirm that VPS4 can constrict and cleave CHMP2A-CHMP3 membrane tubes. It is concluded that CHMP2A-CHMP3-VPS4 act as a minimal membrane fission machinery.
NATURE STRUCTURAL & MOLECULAR BIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Organic
Alyssa F. J. van den Boom, Han Zuilhof
Summary: In this study, we successfully synthesized a wide range of sulfonamides at room temperature using 4-nitrophenyl benzylsulfonate as a starting material. We achieved yields and reaction times that were comparable to or better than previous reports, demonstrating the viability of sulfur-phenolate exchange as an alternative synthesis method.
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Daniela Barros-Silva, Johan Tsui, Carmen Jeronimo, Guido Jenster, Elena S. Martens-Uzunova
Summary: Ribose 2'O-methylation is the most abundant RNA modification in rRNA, and alterations at individual Nm sites may reflect cellular processes. A new quantitative PCR-based method is developed to sensitively assess ribomethylation levels at specific rRNA sites in low input amounts of total RNA.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Johannes A. M. Damen, Jorge Escorihuela, Han Zuilhof, Floris L. van Delft, Bauke Albada
Summary: The rates of reaction between strained cycloalkynes and cycloalkenes with 1,2-quinone were studied using stopped flow UV-Vis spectroscopy and computational analysis. The results showed that strained alkyne BCN OH 3 reacted over 150 times faster than strained alkene TCO-OH 5, and the introduction of a carbamate derivative reduced the rate constant by almost half. Additionally, the 8-membered strained alkyne BCN OH 3 reacted 16 times faster than the more strained 7-membered THS 2. Thermodynamic activation parameters were determined using the linearized Eyring equation, providing valuable insights into these rapid click reactions.
CHEMISTRY-A EUROPEAN JOURNAL
(2023)
Article
Polymer Science
Guus van der Borg, Harry Warner, Melina Ioannidis, Geert van den Bogaart, Wouter H. Roos
Summary: 3D printing with polylactic acid (PLA) filament is shown to be a cheaper and more easily accessible alternative to resin printing for manufacturing PDMS molds. A method using chloroform vapor treatment is introduced to smoothen the printed PLA mold, which was successfully used to cast PDMS rings. The PDMS-glass well created with the PLA mold showed no leakage and was suitable for cell culturing, as tested with monocyte-derived dendritic cells (moDCs).
Article
Cell Biology
Annelies Van Hemelryk, Sigrun Erkens-Schulze, Lifani Lim, Corrina M. A. de Ridder, Debra C. Stuurman, Guido W. Jenster, Martin E. van Royen, Wytske M. van Weerden
Summary: Tumor organoids show potential in vitro oncology drug testing, but there are issues with inconsistent experimental conditions and limited read-outs. To address this, a systematic approach for processing prostate cancer organoids was developed, with viability-based drug testing and imaging-based drug testing procedures. These methods provide important insights into drug mechanisms and can be adapted for other cancer types.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Laura Varela, Chris H. A. van de Lest, Janneke Boere, Sten F. W. M. Libregts, Estefania Lozano-Andres, P. Rene van Weeren, Marca H. M. Wauben
Summary: Inflammation is not fully understood in terms of the regulation of induction, perpetuation, and resolution in joint disorders. This study investigated the role of extracellular vesicles (EVs) in these processes by analyzing EV dynamics and phospholipidome profiles in synovial fluid. The study found that lipopolysaccharide (LPS) injection triggered a sharp increase in synovial fluid EVs, as well as significant changes in the lipid profile of these EVs, providing potential insights into the role of EVs in joint inflammation and the identification of EV-biomarkers.
BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-MOLECULAR AND CELL BIOLOGY OF LIPIDS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Annemieke van Dam, Robin van Schendel, Satesh Gangarapu, Han Zuilhof, Maarten M. J. Smulders
Summary: The coordination of Fe2+ ion greatly lowers the activation energy and catalyzes the condensation and transimination reactions of imine. The nature of incoming and exiting amines and the substituents on the para-position of the pincer have no significant effect on the reaction. However, the addition of ethylamine molecules reduces the energy barriers to be compatible with experimental values.
CHEMISTRY-A EUROPEAN JOURNAL
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Electrical & Electronic
R. Sanchez-Lara, D. Ceballos-Herrera, J. L. Vazquez-Avila, L. de la Cruz-May, D. Jauregui-Vazquez, H. L. Offerhaus, J. A. Alvarez-Chavez
Summary: We conducted a numerical analysis to study the thermal effect of an Yb3+-doped fiber segment under different temperature variation profiles, aiming to find the optimal energy conversion efficiency. By using various pump schemes and singular temperature profiles, we found that a concave parabolic temperature distribution along the fiber axis showed higher stability in a fiber amplifier scheme at higher pump power levels. Moreover, for a constant temperature profile of 20 degrees C, the highest energy conversion efficiency was achieved with a fiber segment of approximately 1.8 m, while for a constant temperature of 200 degrees C, the maximum conversion occurred for a fiber span of approximately 2.31 m. These results demonstrate the potential use of the Yb3+-doped fiber as a sensor in a temperature range of 20 degrees C to 200 degrees C and provide valuable insights for optimizing the design of fiber lasers and amplifiers as sensors.
OPTICAL FIBER TECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Joshua A. Homer, Long Xu, Namitharan Kayambu, Qinheng Zheng, Eun Joung Choi, Byeong Moon Kim, K. Barry Sharpless, Han Zuilhof, Jiajia Dong, John E. Moses
Summary: SuFEx is a click reaction for rapid synthesis and discovery of functional molecules. This Primer discusses the essential elements of SuFEx operation, catalysis, and SuFExable connective hubs, as well as explores its applications in drug development, polymer science, and biochemistry. It also examines the potential limitations and promising prospects of this versatile click reaction.
NATURE REVIEWS METHODS PRIMERS
(2023)
Article
Polymer Science
Andriy R. Kuzmyn, Martijn van Galen, Barend van Lagen, Han Zuilhof
Summary: Surface-initiated photoinduced electron transfer-reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer (SI-PET-RAFT) provides a light-dependent tool for synthesizing polymer brushes on different surfaces. Improved control over SI-PET-RAFT polymerizations under continuous flow conditions allows for prolonged linear growth of the polymer brush and the construction of diblock polymer brushes. The correlation between the molecular weight and dry thickness of the polymer brush is demonstrated using ellipsometry and single-molecule force spectroscopy.
Article
Oncology
Joel E. J. Beaumont, Jinzhe Ju, Lydie M. O. Barbeau, Imke Demers, Kim G. Savelkouls, Kasper Derks, Freek G. Bouwman, Marca H. M. Wauben, Marijke I. Zonneveld, Tom G. H. Keulers, Kasper M. A. Rouschop
Summary: GABARAPL1 is essential for metastasis development, unrelated to changes in migration and invasion, suggesting its crucial role in other processes related to the metastatic cascade.
RADIOTHERAPY AND ONCOLOGY
(2024)
Article
Cell Biology
Estefania Lozano-Andres, Agustin Enciso-Martinez, Abril Gijsbers, Andrea Ridolfi, Guillaume Van Niel, Sten F. W. M. Libregts, Claudio Pinheiro, Martijn J. C. van Herwijnen, An Hendrix, Marco Brucale, Francesco Valle, Peter J. Peters, Cees Otto, Ger J. A. Arkesteijn, Marca H. M. Wauben
Summary: Extracellular vesicles (EVs) in blood plasma have potential as biomarkers for disease. However, analyzing EVs at the single particle level is challenging due to the complexity of plasma. This study investigates the presence and formation of EV-lipoproteins particles (LPPs) complexes, and the impact of LPPs on EV analysis and biomarker profiling. The results demonstrate that EV-LPP complexes can form under physiological conditions, and the presence of LPPs can influence the quantitative and qualitative analysis of EVs.
JOURNAL OF EXTRACELLULAR VESICLES
(2023)
