This study was supported by funds from Rita Allen Foundation grant to Seena Ajit. The authors would like to acknowledge Erika Balogh and Dr. Soumitra Ghoshroy from the University of South Carolina Electron Microscopy Center for instrument use, scientific and technical assistance.

All experiments using blood samples from human and rodents were executed in compliance with all relevant guidelines, regulations and regulatory agencies. Human subjects were enrolled after giving informed consent as approved by the Drexel University College of Medicine Institutional Review Board and all procedures for studies performed using animals were approved by Drexel's Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee.
1. Exosome Purification from Blood (~5.5 hr)
TIPS</p...

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Authors have nothing to disclose.

In this protocol, we show the quantification of miRNAs and mRNAs from exosomes purified by differential centrifugation from blood and culture media. Exosomes have diverse components dependent upon their origin and are involved in a number of biological functions, including immune response, antigen presentation, intracellular communication, and the transfer of RNA and proteins 9,11,12,19,20. While size and shape is a determinant of exosome purity, a number of papers showing EM data of exosomes indicate that the...

Short noncoding miRNAs modulate gene expression by binding to the target mRNA. Seed sequence complementarity of ~7 base pairs enables miRNA to bind to the target mRNA resulting in the inhibition of translation or in reduction in the stability of the mRNA, both of which can result in decreased expression of the target protein 1. Research over the last decade has unequivocally proven a fundamental role for miRNAs in mediating cellular functions. There has also been considerable effort directed towards dissecting miRNA mediated molecular changes underlying various diseases 2,3. Furthermore, recent identification of stable miRNAs in bodily fluids 4-6 paved the way for their use as novel biomarkers amenable to clinical diagnosis.
One mode of miRNA transport in bodily fluids is via exosomes, small vesicles that carry mRNAs, proteins, lipid mediators, and miRNAs to recipient cells via systemic blood circulation 7-14. This results in modulation of gene expression in recipient cells and represents a novel mechanism of cellular communication. For instance, cells can modulate immune-regulatory processes by secreting and/or absorbing exosomes containing biomolecules involved in inflammation such as interleukin-1&beta; (IL1&beta;), tumor necrosis factor-&alpha; (TNF&alpha;), transforming growth factor-&beta;5 (TGF&beta;5), and the miRNAs that regulate these genes 13. As aberrant miRNA expression is a common feature in a variety of human diseases, these molecules offer exciting new opportunities for the discovery and validation of novel therapeutic targets 2.
Circulating miRNAs are present in all body fluids and it is known that the composition of exosomes is different based on the source cells from which they were released. Thus they offer an avenue to study the physiological status of the cells and how the cells alter signaling events in response to stress including diseases. Studying alterations in exosome composition can provide insight into signal transduction and investigate their potential utility as biomarkers or therapeutic intervention routes.
Here we will demonstrate the purification of exosomes from multiple sources based on published protocols. These exosomes will be used for RNA isolation followed by qPCR to identify and measure the levels of miRNAs present in the exosomes.

<table border="1" fo:keep-together.within-page="always">
 <tbody>
 <tr>
 <td>Name of Reagent/Material</td>
 <td>Company</td>
 <td>Catalog Number</td>
 <td>Comments</td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
 <td>EDTA coated vacutainer (10 ml tubes)</td>
 <td>BD Diagnostics</td>
 <td>366643</td>
 <td>For exosome purification from human blood</td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
 <td>EDTA coated vacutainer (2 ml tubes)</td>
 <td>BD Diagnostics</td>
 <td>367841</td>
 <td>For exosome purification from mouse blood</td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
 <td>PAXgene Blood RNA Tube</td>
 <td>BD Diagnostics</td>
 <td>762165</td>
 <td>For miRNA isolation from total blood</td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
 <td>miRVana microRNA isolation kit</td>
 <td>Ambion</td>
 <td>AM1561</td>
 <td></td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
 <td>Acid-Phenol: CHCl3</td>
 <td>Ambion</td>
 <td>9721G</td>
 <td></td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
 <td>DNase 1</td>
 <td>Qiagen</td>
 <td>79254</td>
 <td></td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
 <td>TaqMan Universal PCR Master Mix, No AmpErase UNG</td>
 <td>Applied Biosystems</td>
 <td>4326614</td>
 <td>For TLDA cards</td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
 <td>Megaplex RT rodent Pool Set v3.0</td>
 <td>Applied Biosystems</td>
 <td>4444746</td>
 <td></td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
 <td>Megaplex preamp rodent Pool set v3.0</td>
 <td>Applied Biosystems</td>
 <td>4444747</td>
 <td></td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
 <td>Taqman Array Rodent MicroRNA A+B set V3.0</td>
 <td>Applied Biosystems</td>
 <td>4444909</td>
 <td></td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
 <td>Megaplex RT Human Pool set V3.0</td>
 <td>Applied Biosystems</td>
 <td>4444745</td>
 <td></td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
 <td>Megaplex Preamp human pool set v3.0</td>
 <td>Applied Biosystems</td>
 <td>4444748</td>
 <td></td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
 <td>Taqman Array Human MicroRNA A+B Cards Set v3.0</td>
 <td>Applied Biosystems</td>
 <td>4444913</td>
 <td></td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
 <td>Taqman MicroRNA RT kit</td>
 <td>Applied Biosystems</td>
 <td>4366596</td>
 <td></td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
 <td>Taqman fast universal PCR master mix </td>
 <td>Applied Biosystems</td>
 <td>4366072</td>
 <td>For mRNA qRT-PCR</td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
 <td>Tumor necrosis factor (primer probe)</td>
 <td>Applied Biosystems</td>
 <td>Hs01113624_g1 </td>
 <td></td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
 <td>Vascular endothelial growth factor A (primer probe)</td>
 <td>Applied Biosystems</td>
 <td>Hs00900055_m1</td>
 <td></td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
 <td>Maxima First Strand cDNA Synthesis Kit for RT-qPCR</td>
 <td>Thermo Scientific</td>
 <td>K1642</td>
 <td>For mRNA</td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
 <td>HSP70 antibody</td>
 <td>Abcam</td>
 <td>ab94368 </td>
 <td>For western blot</td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
 <td>Anti-rabbit IgG-Gold</td>
 <td>Sigma</td>
 <td>G7402</td>
 <td>For electron microscopy</td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
 <td>Rabbit-anti CD81</td>
 <td>Sigma</td>
 <td>SAB3500454</td>
 <td></td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
 <td>Nickel 300 mesh carbon formvar grids</td>
 <td>Electron Microscopy Sciences</td>
 <td>FCF300-Ni</td>
 <td></td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
 <td>Copper 300 mesh carbon formvar grids</td>
 <td>Electron Microscopy Sciences</td>
 <td>FCF300-Cu</td>
 <td></td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td>Table 1. Table of specific reagents.</td>
</tr>
 </tbody>
 </table>

purification and microrna profiling of exosomes derived from blood and culture media

Stable miRNAs are present in all body fluids and some circulating miRNAs are protected from degradation by sequestration in small vesicles called exosomes. Exosomes can fuse with the plasma membrane resulting in the transfer of RNA and proteins to the target cell. Their biological functions include immune response, antigen presentation, and intracellular communication. Delivery of miRNAs that can regulate gene expression in the recipient cells via blood has opened novel avenues for target intervention. In addition to offering a strategy for delivery of drugs or RNA therapeutic agents, exosomal contents can serve as biomarkers that can aid in diagnosis, determining treatment options and prognosis.	Here we will describe the procedure for quantitatively analyzing miRNAs and messenger RNAs (mRNA) from exosomes secreted in blood and cell culture media. Purified exosomes will be characterized using western blot analysis for exosomal markers and PCR for mRNAs of interest. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and immunogold labeling will be used to validate exosomal morphology and integrity. Total RNA will be purified from these exosomes to ensure that we can study both mRNA and miRNA from the same sample. After validating RNA integrity by Bioanalyzer, we will perform a medium throughput quantitative real time PCR (qPCR) to identify the exosomal miRNA using Taqman Low Density Array (TLDA) cards and gene expression studies for transcripts of interest.	
 These protocols can be used to quantify changes in exosomal miRNAs in patients, rodent models and cell culture media before and after pharmacological intervention. Exosomal contents vary due to the source of origin and the physiological conditions of cells that secrete exosomes. These variations can provide insight on how cells and systems cope with stress or physiological perturbations. Our representative data show variations in miRNAs present in exosomes purified from mouse blood, human blood and human cell culture media.	
 Here we will describe the procedure for quantitatively analyzing miRNAs and messenger RNAs (mRNA) from exosomes secreted in blood and cell culture media. Purified exosomes will be characterized using western blot analysis for exosomal markers and PCR for mRNAs of interest. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and immunogold labeling will be used to validate exosomal morphology and integrity. Total RNA will be purified from these exosomes to ensure that we can study both mRNA and miRNA from the same sample. After validating RNA integrity by Bioanalyzer, we will perform a medium throughput quantitative real time PCR (qPCR) to identify the exosomal miRNA using Taqman Low Density Array (TLDA) cards and gene expression studies for transcripts of interest.
 These protocols can be used to quantify changes in exosomal miRNAs in patients, rodent models and cell culture media before and after pharmacological intervention. Exosomal contents vary due to the source of origin and the physiological conditions of cells that secrete exosomes. These variations can provide insight on how cells and systems cope with stress or physiological perturbations. Our representative data show variations in miRNAs present in exosomes purified from mouse blood, human blood and human cell culture media

After isolating exosomes from blood or cell culture media, the purity of the exosomes can be tested by electron microscopy (EM) and western blot (Figures 1A and 1B). We confirmed our exosome preparations from various sources with EM and western blot using multiple antibodies. Figure 1A shows EM images confirming that exosomes are intact with a diameter of ~30 -100 nm and contain CD81 by immunogold labeling. Commonly used exosomal markers are Hsp70 and tetraspannin family...

Watch this Scientific Journal Video about Purification and microRNA Profiling of Exosomes Derived from Blood and Culture Media at JoVE.com

Purification and microRNA Profiling of Exosomes Derived from Blood and Culture Media

The presence of stable microRNAs (miRNAs) in exosomes has generated immense interest as a novel mode of intercellular communication, for their potential utility as biomarkers and as a route for therapeutic intervention. Here we demonstrate exosome purification from blood and culture media followed by quantitative PCR to identify miRNAs being transported.

Stable miRNAs are present in all body fluids and some circulating miRNAs  are protected from degradation by sequestration in small vesicles called  ...

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31.7K Views.  Drexel University College of Medicine. The presence of stable microRNAs (miRNAs) in exosomes has generated immense interest as a novel mode of intercellular communication, for their potential utility as biomarkers and as a route for therapeutic intervention. Here we demonstrate exosome purification from blood and culture media followed by quantitative PCR to identify miRNAs being transported.