Biophysical properties of extracellular vesicles in diagnostics

Abstract

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are cell-derived nanoparticles, involved in cell-to-cell communication, in both normal and pathological processes. Originating by the outward budding of the plasma membrane or released by exocytosis, they are natural cargoes for lipids, carbohydrates, proteins and nucleic acids. EV-based diagnostics promises unique advantages compared with conventional strategies involving whole body fluid analysis, including the reduction of biofluids complexity and more specific and sensitive detection of low abundance biomacromolecules. Besides EV cargoes, new breakthrough technologies are addressing EV ‘colloidal properties’ – including particle content, size and membrane mechanical properties – directly experienced by researchers to be critical factors in biomarkers discovery. This article focuses on the progresses in EV biophysical properties characterization as diagnostic tools for different pathological conditions.