This work was supported by grants from the National Natural Science Foundation of China, grant no. 81930031, 81901525. In addition, we thank Tianjin Century Yikang Medical Technology Development Co., Ltd. for providing us with machines and technical guidance.

The collection of human samples was approved by the Medical Ethics Committee of Tianjin Medical University General Hospital. The collection of human venous blood strictly followed the guideline issued by the National Health Commission of China, namely WS/T 661-2020 Guideline for Collection of Venous Blood Specimens. Briefly, blood was collected from healthy individuals with informed consent from the anterior brachial area vein, and the samples were mixed using 3.2% sodium citrate anticoagulant in a ratio of 1:9. When only sodium citrate anticoagulant specimens were collected, the first collection vessel was discarded. The processing flow was initiated within 0.5 h of sample collection. Adult healthy subjects were recruited for sample collection after obtaining informed consent. Patient exclusion criteria were: (1) a recent intravascular thrombosis, (2) liver and kidney function impairment, (3) hypertension, hyperlipidemia, diabetes, and other chronic diseases, (4) aspirin or anticoagulant treatment, (5) menstruation and pregnancy.
1. Isolation of EV-rich plasma
<ol>
	<li>Centrifuge the samples at 120 x g for 20 min at room temperature to remove blood cells. The supernatant is platelet-rich plasma. Then, transfer the upper 1/2 of the supernatant to a new centrifuge tube with a pipette.</li>
	<li>Centrifuge the platelet-rich plasma at 1500 x g for 20 min at room temperature to remove the platelets. The supernatant is platelet-poor plasma. Then transfer the upper 1/2 of the supernatant to a new centrifuge tube.</li>
	<li>Centrifuge the platelet-poor plasma at 13000 x g for 2 min at room temperature to remove cell debris. The supernatant is EV-rich plasma. Then, transfer the upper 1/2 of the supernatant to a new centrifuge tube for subsequent testing.</li>
</ol>
2. Detection of EV-ACT of the sample by the analyzer
<ol>
	<li>Turn on the clot analyzer (see Table of Materials) and preheat the instrument to 37 &#176;C. Install the disposable probe and test cup, then start the quality control procedure of the machine. 
	NOTE: When the viscous resistance signal value on the screen is displayed as a straight line, it means that the detection is not interfered with and the quality control of analyzer status is qualified. The testing procedure can be started after the self-test is qualified.</li>
	<li>Enter sample information into the system. Then, transfer 200 &#181;L of EV-rich plasma to the test cup, followed by 20 mM 170 &#181;L of calcium chloride. Click the start button. The magnetic stirring rod in the test cup will fully mix the sample and calcium chloride. Close the cover, and the probe will begin to detect the change in sample resistance. 
	&#8203;NOTE: After the test is finished, the analyzer will automatically prompt &#34;test completed&#34;. The time of EV-ACT is displayed and recorded by the system. The result is expressed in the unit of time &#34;second&#34;. Discard the probe and test the cup.</li>
</ol>
3. Flow cytometry-based quality control of the EV-rich plasma sample
<ol>
	<li>EVs were first identified by their size (0.1-1 &#181;m). Adjust the parameters of the flow cytometer in advance and set the &#34;gate&#34; of EV using commercially available polystyrene beads (0.5, 0.9, and 3.0 &#181;m) (see Table of Materials). 
	NOTE: The bead mixture consists of fluorescent spheres of different diameters covering the size range of microvesicles (0.5 and 0.9 &#181;m) and platelets (0.9 &#181;m and 3 &#181;m).</li>
	<li>Adjust the voltage of the Forward Scatter and the Side Scatter, and ensure that the 0.9 &#181;m microspheres fall in the appropriate region. The EV region can be drawn according to the diameter of the microsphere.</li>
	<li>Transfer 50 &#181;L of EV-rich plasma into the flow tube, followed by 450 &#181;L of filtered phosphate buffer saline.Thoroughly mix the liquid in the flow tube.Finally, detect the samples using flow cytometry25.</li>
	<li>Use Ultra Rainbow Fluorescent Particles (see Table of Materials) to quantify the number of EVs.In brief, add 10 &#181;L of the particles to the sample before the flow detection, and calculate the EV concentration using the following formula after the sample detection is complete: 10,120 * EV (#) / (microbeads * volume) * dilution factor26.</li>
</ol>

Assessing Blood Hypercoagulation of EV-Rich Plasma

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F. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Prothrombotic+state+associated+with+preeclampsia.">Prothrombotic state associated with preeclampsia.</a> Current Opinion in Hematology. 28 (5), 323-330 (2021).</li><li>Campello, E., Bosch, F., Simion, C., Spiezia, L., Simioni, P. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Mechanisms+of+thrombosis+in+pancreatic+ductal+adenocarcinoma.">Mechanisms of thrombosis in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma.</a> Best Practice &amp; Research Clinical Haematology. 35 (1), 101346 (2022).</li><li>You, D., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Identification+of+hypercoagulability+with+thrombelastography+in+patients+with+hip+fracture+receiving+thromboprophylaxis.">Identification of hypercoagulability with thrombelastography in patients with hip fracture receiving thromboprophylaxis.</a> Canadian Journal of Surgery. 64 (3), E324-E329 (2021).</li><li>Shah, R., Patel, T., Freedman, J. E. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Circulating+extracellular+vesicles+in+human+disease.">Circulating extracellular vesicles in human disease.</a> The New England Journal of Medicine. 379 (10), 958-966 (2018).</li><li>Zang, X., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Hepatocyte-derived+microparticles+as+novel+biomarkers+for+the+diagnosis+of+deep+venous+thrombosis+in+trauma+patients.">Hepatocyte-derived microparticles as novel biomarkers for the diagnosis of deep venous thrombosis in trauma patients.</a> Clinical and Applied Thrombosis/Hemostasis. 29, 10760296231153400 (2023).</li><li>Chen, Y., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Annexin+V(-)+and+tissue+factor(+)+microparticles+as+biomarkers+for+predicting+deep+vein+thrombosis+in+patients+after+joint+arthroplasty.">Annexin V(-) and tissue factor(+) microparticles as biomarkers for predicting deep vein thrombosis in patients after joint arthroplasty.</a> Clinica Chimica Acta. 536, 169-179 (2022).</li><li>Wang, C., Yu, C., Novakovic, V. 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All authors declared that there are no potential conflicts of interest.

In this study, the preparation of EV-rich plasma was described, and the method&#39;s rationality was verified using flow cytometry. Subsequently, the recalcified plasma samples were analyzed for ACT time using a clot analyzer based on viscoelasticity principles24. As shown in Figure 3A, the concentration of EVs obtained through ultracentrifugation was found to shorten the EV-ACT time, while the supernatant after ultracentrifugation, which had reduced EV levels, exhibi...

Thrombosis, which is caused by hypercoagulability, plays a significant role in various diseases, including brain trauma1, pre-eclampsia2, tumors3, and fracture patients4. The mechanism underlying hypercoagulability is complex, and recent emphasis has been placed on the role of extracellular vesicles (EV) in coagulation disorders. EVs are vesicle-like bodies with a bilayer structure that detach from the cell membrane, ranging in diameter from 10 nm to 1000 nm. They are associated with a variety of disease processes, particularly coagulation disorders5. Several studies have identified EVs as a promising predictor of thrombosis risk6,7. The procoagulant activity of EVs depends on the expression of coagulation factors, primarily tissue factor (TF) and phosphatidylserine (PS). EVs with robust procoagulant activity significantly enhance the catalytic efficiency of tenase and prothrombin complex, thereby promoting thrombin-mediated fibrinogen and local thrombosis8. Elevated levels of EVs and their causal relationship with hypercoagulability have been observed in numerous diseases9. Consequently, standardizing the detection of EVs and reporting their procoagulant activity is an important area of investigation10.
To date, only a few commercial kits are available for detecting the procoagulant activity of EVs. The MP-Activity assay and the MP-TF assay, produced by a commercial company, are functional assays used to measure EV&#39;s procoagulant activity in plasma11. These assays employ a principle similar to that of enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays to detect PS and TF on EVs. However, these kits are expensive and limited to a few high-level research institutions. The process is complex and time-consuming, making it challenging to implement them in clinical settings. Additionally, a commercially developed procoagulant phospholipid (PPL) assay mixes PS-free plasma with test plasma, measuring clotting time to quantitatively detect levels of PS-positive EVs12. However, these assays primarily focus on PS and TF on EVs, overlooking other clotting pathways that circulating EVs may be involved in12.
The plasma coagulation system is intricate and comprises both &#34;invisible&#34; and &#34;visible&#34; components, including coagulants, anticoagulants, fibrinolytic systems, and EVs suspended in the plasma. Physiologically, these components maintain a dynamic balance. In pathological conditions, significantly increased EVs in circulation contribute to hypercoagulability, particularly in patients with brain trauma, preeclampsia, fractures, and various types of cancer13. Currently, the evaluation of coagulation status in clinical laboratories primarily involves assessing the coagulation system, anticoagulation system, and fibrinolysis14,15,16,17. Prothrombin time, activated partial thromboplastin time, thrombin time, and international normalized ratio are commonly used to evaluate coagulation factor levels in the coagulation system18. However, recent studies have revealed that these tests do not fully reflect the hypercoagulability of certain diseases19. Other assay methods, such as thromboelastometry (TEG), rotational TEG, and Sonoclot analysis, measure whole-blood viscoelastic changes20,21. Since whole blood samples contain numerous blood cells and platelets, these tests are more likely to indicate the clotting status of the sample as a whole. Some researchers have reported on the role of blood cells and platelets in procoagulant activity22,23. A recent study also discovered that previous coagulation function tests face difficulties in detecting changes in microparticles&#39; procoagulant activity24. Therefore, a hypothesis has been proposed that the procoagulant function of EVs can be evaluated by viscoelastic measurements of the activated clotting time (ACT) in EV-rich plasma.

<table><tbody><tr><td>AccuCount Ultra Rainbow Fluorescent Particles</td><td>3.8 microm; Spherotech, Lake Forest, IL, USA</td><td></td><td>For quantitative detection of MP</td></tr><tr><td>Calcium chloride</td><td>Werfen (china)</td><td>0020006800</td><td>20 mM</td></tr><tr><td>Century Clot analyzer</td><td>Tianjin Century Yikang Medical Technology Development Co., Ltd</td><td></td><td>The principle is to measure plasma viscosity by viscoelastic method</td></tr><tr><td>Disposable probe and test cup</td><td>Tianjin Century Yikang Medical Technology Development Co., Ltd</td><td></td><td></td></tr><tr><td>LSR Fortessa flow cytometer</td><td>BD, USA</td><td></td><td>Used to detect MP</td></tr><tr><td>Megamix polystyrene beads</td><td>Biocytex, Marseille, France</td><td>7801</td><td>The Megamix consists of a mixture of microbeads of selected diameters: 0.5 &amp;micro;m, 0.9 &amp;micro;m and 3 &amp;micro;m.</td></tr></tbody></table>

determination of the procoagulant activity of extracellular vesicle (ev) using ev-activated clotting time (ev-act)

The role of extracellular vesicles (EV) in various diseases is gaining increased attention, particularly due to their potent procoagulant activity. However, there is an urgent need for a bedside test to assess the procoagulant activity of EV in clinical settings. This study proposes the use of thrombin activation time of EV-rich plasma as a measure of EV's procoagulant activity. Standardized procedures were employed to obtain sodium-citrated whole blood, followed by differential centrifugation to obtain EV-rich plasma. The EV-rich plasma and calcium chloride were added to the test cup, and the changes in viscoelasticity were monitored in real-time using an analyzer. The natural coagulation time of EV-rich plasma, referred to as EV-ACT, was determined. The results revealed a significant increase in EV-ACT when EV was removed from plasma obtained from healthy volunteers, while it significantly decreased when EV was enriched. Furthermore, EV-ACT was considerably shortened in human samples from preeclampsia, hip fracture, and lung cancer, indicating elevated levels of plasma EV and promotion of blood hypercoagulation. With its simple and rapid procedure, EV-ACT shows promise as a bedside test for evaluating coagulation function in patients with high plasma EV levels.

The thrombin activation time of EV-rich plasma was measured using a viscoelastic method analyzer for plasma coagulation time measurement. The machine consists of four main components: an electronic signal converter, a probe, a detection tank, and a heating element (Figure 1A,B). The probe utilizes high-frequency and low-amplitude oscillations to detect changes in plasma viscosity. Daily quality control primarily involves air quality control to assess the stability of the tes...

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Author Spotlight: Deciphering Coagulation Disorders in Traumatic Brain Injury Patients 

This protocol investigates the use of extracellular vesicle (EV)-rich plasma as an indicator of the coagulative ability of EV. EV-rich plasma is obtained through a process of differential centrifugation and subsequent recalcification.

Determination of the Procoagulant Activity of Extracellular Vesicle (EV) Using EV-Activated Clotting Time (EV-ACT)

The role of extracellular vesicles (EV) in various diseases is gaining increased attention, particularly due to their potent procoagulant activity. ...

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Research

JoVE Journal

Medicine

655 Views.  Tianjin Medical University General Hospital. This protocol investigates the use of extracellular vesicle (EV)-rich plasma as an indicator of the coagulative ability of EV. EV-rich plasma is obtained through a process of differential centrifugation and subsequent recalcification.

Video: Author Spotlight: Deciphering Coagulation Disorders in Traumatic Brain Injury Patients 

Measurement of Factor V Activity in Human Plasma Using a Microplate Coagulation Assay

In response to injury, blood coagulation is activated and results in generation of the clotting protease, thrombin. Thrombin cleaves fibrinogen to fibrin which forms an insoluble clot that stops hemorrhage. Factor V (FV) in its activated form, FVa, is a critical cofactor for the protease FXa and accelerator of thrombin generation during fibrin clot formation as part of prothrombinase 1, 2. Manual FV assays have been described 3, 4, but they are time consuming and subjective. Automated FV assays have been reported 5-7, but the analyzer and reagents are expensive and generally provide only the clot time, not the rate and extent of fibrin formation. The microplate platform is preferred for measuring enzyme-catalyzed events because of convenience, time, cost, small volume, continuous monitoring, and high-throughput 8, 9. Microplate assays have been reported for clot lysis 10, platelet aggregation 11, and coagulation Factors 12, but not for FV activity in human plasma. The goal of the method was to develop a microplate assay that measures FV activity during fibrin formation in human plasma.
This novel microplate method outlines a simple, inexpensive, and rapid assay of FV activity in human plasma. The assay utilizes a kinetic microplate reader to monitor the absorbance change at 405nm during fibrin formation in human plasma (Figure 1) 13. The assay accurately measures the time, initial rate, and extent of fibrin clot formation. It requires only &mu;l quantities of plasma, is complete in 6 min, has high-throughput, is sensitive to 24-80pM FV, and measures the amount of unintentionally activated (1-stage activity) and thrombin-activated FV (2-stage activity) to obtain a complete assessment of its total functional activity (2-stage activity - 1-stage activity).
Disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) is an acquired coagulopathy that most often develops from pre-existing infections 14. DIC is associated with a poor prognosis and increases mortality above the pre-existing pathology 15. The assay was used to show that in 9 patients with DIC, the FV 1-stage, 2-stage, and total activities were decreased, on average, by 54%, 44%, and 42%, respectively, compared with normal pooled human reference plasma (NHP).
The FV microplate assay is easily adaptable to measure the activity of any coagulation factor. This assay will increase our understanding of FV biochemistry through a more accurate and complete measurement of its activity in research and clinical settings. This information will positively impact healthcare environments through earlier diagnosis and development of more effective treatments for coagulation disorders, such as DIC.

This study describes a novel microplate assay that measures FV coagulation activity during fibrin clot formation in human plasma which has not been reported previously. The method uses a kinetic microplate reader to continuously measure the change in absorbance at 405nm during fibrin clot formation in human plasma.

 In response to injury, blood coagulation is activated and results in generation of the clotting protease, thrombin. Thrombin cleaves fibrinogen to fibrin ...

Immunology and Infection

Rapid Fluorescence-based Characterization of Single Extracellular Vesicles in Human Blood with Nanoparticle-tracking Analysis

Extracellular vesicles (EVs), including exosomes, are specialized membranous nano-sized vesicles found in bodily fluids that are constitutively released from many cell types and play a pivotal role in regulating cell-cell communication and a diverse range of biological processes. Many different methods for the characterization of EVs have been described. However, most of these methods have the disadvantage that the preparation and characterization of the samples are very time-consuming, or it is extremely difficult to analyze specific markers of interest due to their small size and due to the lack of discrete populations. While methods for analysis of EVs have been considerably improved over the last decade, there is still no standardized method for characterization of single EVs. Here, we demonstrate a semi-automated method for characterization of single EVs by fluorescence-based nanoparticle-tracking analysis. The protocol that is presented addresses the common problem of many researchers in this field and provides the complete workflow for rapid isolation of EVs and characterization with PKH67, a general cell membrane linker, as well as with specific surface markers such as CD63, CD9, vimentin, and lysosomal-associated membrane protein 1 (LAMP-1). The presented results show a high level of reproducibility, as confirmed by other methods, such as Western blotting. In the conducted experiments, we exclusively used EVs isolated from human serum samples, but this method is also suitable for plasma or other body fluids and can be adjusted for characterization of EVs from cell culture supernatants. Irrespective of the future progress of research on EV biology, the protocol that is presented here provides a rapid and reliable method for rapid characterization of single EVs with specific markers.

In this protocol, we describe the complete workflow for rapid isolation of extracellular vesicles from human whole blood and characterization of specific markers by fluorescence-based nanoparticle-tracking analysis. The presented results show a high level of reproducibility and can be adjusted to cell culture supernatants.

Extracellular vesicles (EVs), including exosomes, are specialized membranous nano-sized vesicles found in bodily fluids that are constitutively released ...

Biochemistry

Assessment of the Anticoagulant and Anti-inflammatory Properties of Endothelial Cells Using 3D Cell Culture and Non-anticoagulated Whole Blood

In vivo, endothelial cells are crucial for the natural anticoagulation of circulating blood. Consequently, endothelial cell activation leads to blood coagulation. This phenomenon is observed in many clinical situations, like organ transplantation in the presence of pre-formed anti-donor antibodies, including xenotransplantation, as well as in ischemia/reperfusion injury. In order to reduce animal experimentation according to the 3R standards (reduction, replacement and refinement), in vitro models to study the effect of endothelial cell activation on blood coagulation would be highly desirable. However, common flatbed systems of endothelial cell culture provide a surface-to-volume ratio of 1 - 5 cm2 of endothelium per mL of blood, which is not sufficient for natural, endothelial-mediated anticoagulation. Culturing endothelial cells on microcarrier beads may increase the surface-to-volume ratio to 40 - 160 cm2/mL. This increased ratio is sufficient to ensure the &#34;natural&#34; anticoagulation of whole blood, so that the use of anticoagulants can be avoided. Here an in vitro microcarrier-based system is described to study the effects of genetic modification of porcine endothelial cells on coagulation of whole, non-anticoagulated human blood. In the described assay, primary porcine aortic endothelial cells, either wild type (WT) or transgenic for human CD46 and thrombomodulin, were grown on microcarrier beads and then exposed to freshly drawn non-anticoagulated human blood. This model allows for the measurement and quantification of cytokine release as well as activation markers of complement and coagulation in the blood plasma. In addition, imaging of activated endothelial cell and deposition of immunoglobulins, complement- and coagulation proteins on the endothelialized beads were performed by confocal microscopy. This assay can also be used to test drugs which are supposed to prevent endothelial cell activation and, thus, coagulation. On top of its potential to reduce the number of animals used for such investigations, the described assay is easy to perform and consistently reproducible.

We present an in vitro model which allows the study and analysis of coagulation in whole, non-anticoagulated blood. Anticoagulation in the system depends on the natural anticoagulation effect of healthy endothelial cells and endothelial cell activation will result in clotting.

In vivo, endothelial cells are crucial for the natural anticoagulation of circulating blood. Consequently, endothelial cell activation leads to blood ...

In Vitro Microfluidic Disease Model to Study Whole Blood-Endothelial Interactions and Blood Clot Dynamics in Real-Time

The formation of blood clots involves complex interactions between endothelial cells, their underlying matrix, various blood cells, and proteins. The endothelium is the primary source of many of the major hemostatic molecules that control platelet aggregation, coagulation, and fibrinolysis. Although the mechanism of thrombosis has been investigated for decades, in vitro studies mainly focus on situations of vascular damage where the subendothelial matrix gets exposed, or on interactions between cells with single blood components. Our method allows studying interactions between whole blood and an intact, confluent vascular cell network.
By utilizing primary human endothelial cells, this protocol provides the unique opportunity to study the influence of endothelial cells on thrombus dynamics and gives&#160;valuable insights into the pathophysiology of thrombotic disease. The use of custom-made microfluidic flow channels allows application of disease-specific vascular geometries and model specific morphological vascular changes. The development of a thrombus is recorded in real-time and quantitatively characterized by platelet adhesion and fibrin deposition. The effect of endothelial function in altered thrombus dynamics is determined by postanalysis through immunofluorescence staining of specific molecules.
The representative results describe the experimental setup, data collection, and data analysis. Depending on the research question, parameters for every section can be adjusted including cell type, shear rates, channel geometry, drug therapy, and postanalysis procedures. The protocol is validated by quantifying thrombus formation on the pulmonary artery endothelium of patients with chronic thromboembolic disease.

We present an in vitro vascular disease model to investigate whole blood interactions with patient-derived endothelium. This system allows the study of thrombogenic properties of primary endothelial cells under various circumstances. The method is especially suited to evaluate in situ thrombogenicity and anticoagulation therapy during different phases of coagulation.

The formation of blood clots involves complex interactions between endothelial cells, their underlying matrix, various blood cells, and proteins. The ...

Techniques for the Analysis of Extracellular Vesicles Using Flow Cytometry

Extracellular Vesicles (EVs) are small, membrane-derived vesicles found in bodily fluids that are highly involved in cell-cell communication and help regulate a diverse range of biological processes. Analysis of EVs using flow cytometry (FCM) has been notoriously difficult due to their small size and lack of discrete populations positive for markers of interest. Methods for EV analysis, while considerably improved over the last decade, are still a work in progress. Unfortunately, there is no one-size-fits-all protocol, and several aspects must be considered when determining the most appropriate method to use. Presented here are several different techniques for processing EVs and two protocols for analyzing EVs using either individual detection or a bead-based approach. The methods described here will assist with eliminating the antibody aggregates commonly found in commercial preparations, increasing signal&#8211;to-noise ratio, and setting gates in a rational fashion that minimizes detection of background fluorescence. The first protocol uses an individual detection method that is especially well suited for analyzing a high volume of clinical samples, while the second protocol uses a bead-based approach to capture and detect smaller EVs and exosomes.

Many different methods exist for the measurement of extracellular vesicles (EVs) using flow cytometry (FCM). Several aspects should be considered when determining the most appropriate method to use. Two protocols for measuring EVs are presented, using either individual detection or a bead-based approach.

Extracellular Vesicles (EVs) are small, membrane-derived vesicles found in bodily fluids that are highly involved in cell-cell communication and help ...

Biology

Enrichment of Astrocyte-Derived Extracellular Vesicles from Human Plasma

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are biological nanoparticles secreted by all cells for cellular communication and waste elimination. They participate in a vast range of functions by acting on and transferring their cargos to other cells in physiological and pathological conditions. Given their presence in biofluids, EVs represent an excellent resource for studying disease processes and can be considered a liquid biopsy for biomarker discovery. An attractive aspect of EV analysis is that they can be selected based on markers of their cell of origin, thus reflecting the environment of a specific tissue in their cargo. However, one of the major handicaps related to EV isolation methods is the lack of methodological consensuses and standardized protocols. Astrocytes are glial cells with essential roles in the brain. In neurodegenerative diseases, astrocyte reactivity may lead to altered EV cargo and aberrant cellular communication, facilitating/enhancing disease progression. Thus, analysis of astrocyte EVs may lead to the discovery of biomarkers and potential disease targets. This protocol describes a 2-step method of enrichment of astrocyte-derived EVs (ADEVs) from human plasma. First, EVs are enriched from defibrinated plasma via polymer-based precipitation. This is followed by enrichment of ADEVs through ACSA-1-based immunocapture with magnetic micro-beads, where resuspended EVs are loaded onto a column placed in a magnetic field. Magnetically labeled ACSA-1+ EVs are retained within the column, while other EVs flow through. Once the column is removed from the magnet, ADEVs are eluted and are ready for storage and analysis. To validate the enrichment of astrocyte markers, glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), or other specific astrocytic markers of intracellular origin, can be measured in the eluate and compared with the flow-through. This protocol proposes an easy, time-efficient method to enrich ADEVs from plasma that can be used as a platform to examine astrocyte-relevant markers.

This protocol describes the enrichment of astrocyte-derived extracellular vesicles (ADEVs) from human plasma. It is based on the separation of EVs by polymer precipitation, followed by ACSA-1 based immunocapture of ADEVs. Analysis of ADEVs may offer clues to study changes in inflammatory pathways of living patients, non-invasively by liquid biopsy.

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are biological nanoparticles secreted by all cells for cellular communication and waste elimination. They participate in a ...

Neuroscience

Improved Sensitivity for Tissue Factor Activity Assay in Extracellular Vesicles

Extracellular Vesicle Tissue Factor Activity Assay

Tissue factor (TF) is a transmembrane receptor for factor (F) VII and FVIIa. The TF/FVIIa complex initiates the coagulation cascade by activating both FIX and FX. TF is released from cells into the circulation in the form of extracellular vesicles (EVs). The level of TF-positive (+) EVs is increased in various diseases, including cancer, bacterial and viral infections, and cirrhosis, and is associated with thrombosis, disseminated intravascular coagulation, disease severity, and mortality. There are two ways to measure TF+ EVs in plasma: antigen- and activity-based assays. Data indicates that activity-based assays have higher sensitivity and specificity than antigen-based assays. This paper describes our in-house EVTF activity assay based on a two-stage FXa generation assay. FVIIa, FX, and calcium are added to the TF+ EV-containing samples to generate FXa in the presence and absence of anti-TF antibody to distinguish TF-dependent FXa generation from TF-independent FXa generation. A chromogenic substrate cleaved by FXa is used to determine the FXa level, while a standard curve generated with a relipidated recombinant TF is used for the determination of the TF concentration. This in-house EVTF activity assay has higher sensitivity and specificity than a commercial TF activity assay.

Author Spotlight: High-Sensitivity Tissue Factor Activity Assay for Plasma Diagnosis 

Here we describe an in-house extracellular vesicle tissue factor activity assay. Activity-based assays and antigen-based assays have been used to measure tissue factor in extracellular vesicles from human plasma samples. Activity-based assays have higher sensitivity and specificity than antigen-based assays.

Tissue factor (TF) is a transmembrane receptor for factor (F) VII and FVIIa. The TF/FVIIa complex initiates the coagulation cascade by activating both FIX ...

Isolation and Analysis of Traceable and Functionalized Extracellular Vesicles from the Plasma and Solid Tissues

Circulating and tissue-resident extracellular vesicles (EVs) represent promising targets as novel theranostic biomarkers, and they emerge as important players in the maintenance of organismal homeostasis and the progression of a wide spectrum of diseases. While the current research focuses on the characterization of endogenous exosomes with the endosomal origin, microvesicles blebbing from the plasma membrane have gained increasing attention in health and sickness, which are featured by an abundance of surface molecules recapitulating the membrane signature of parent cells. Here, a reproducible procedure is presented based on differential centrifugation for extracting and characterizing EVs from the plasma and solid tissues, such as the bone. The protocol further describes subsequent profiling of surface antigens and protein cargos of EVs, which are thus traceable for their derivations and identified with components related to potential function. This method will be useful for correlative, functional, and mechanistic analysis of EVs in biological, physiological, and pathological studies.

The present protocol describes a method to extract extracellular vesicles from the peripheral blood and solid tissues with subsequent profiling of surface antigens and protein cargos.

Circulating and tissue-resident extracellular vesicles (EVs) represent promising targets as novel theranostic biomarkers, and they emerge as important ...

Cardiovascular Biomarker Studies Using Plasma Extracellular Vesicle Proteome

Isolation, Characterization, and Proteomic Analysis of Plasma-Derived Extracellular Vesicles for Cardiovascular Biomarker Discovery

Extracellular vesicles (EV) are cell-derived, lipid bilayer-enclosed, non-replicable nanoparticles. EV currently gain attention in cardiovascular research due to their role in regulating intercellular communication, potentially serving as valuable biomarkers for cardiovascular disease. However, the EV proteome and its potential as a biomarker in cardiovascular diagnostics remain poorly understood. This protocol presents a standardized method for the isolation and quantification of plasma-derived EV and the analysis of their protein cargo using plasma samples from patients presenting to the Chest Pain Unit of a large university hospital. Following routine phlebotomy, EV are isolated from plasma by differential ultracentrifugation. The enrichment of specific EV marker proteins in EV isolates is visualized by immunoblotting, and average size distribution and plasma EV concentrations are quantified by nanoparticle tracking analysis. Finally, ultra-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry is employed for label-free analysis of the EV proteome. This protocol thus provides a comprehensive approach to study and use plasma-derived EV as potential carriers of critical biological information as well as to explore their potential as novel biomarkers.

Author Spotlight: Advancing the Analysis of Plasma Extracellular Vesicle Proteome for Cardiovascular Biomarker Studies

This article describes a methodology for the isolation, characterization, and quantification of human plasma-derived extracellular vesicles (EV) and presents a workflow for label-free analysis of the EV proteome using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS).

Extracellular vesicles (EV) are cell-derived, lipid bilayer-enclosed, non-replicable nanoparticles. EV currently gain attention in cardiovascular research ...

Analyzing Platelet Phosphatidylserine and Microvesicle Release

Procoagulant Platelet Characterization by Measuring Phosphatidylserine Exposure and Microvesicle Release from Human Purified Platelets

Activated platelets promote coagulation primarily by exposing the procoagulant phospholipid phosphatidylserine (PS) on their outer membrane surfaces and releasing PS-expressing microvesicles that retain the original membrane architecture and cytoplasmic components of their originating cells. The accessibility of phosphatidylserine facilitates the binding of major coagulation factors, significantly amplifying the catalytic efficiency of coagulation enzymes, while microvesicle release acts as a pivotal mediator of intercellular signaling. Procoagulant platelets play a crucial role in clot stabilization during hemostasis, and their increased proportion in the bloodstream correlates with an increased risk of thrombosis. It has also been shown that platelet microvesicles are rich in growth factors that promote wound healing and inflammatory modulation. Analyzing phosphatidylserine exposure and microvesicle release using flow cytometry poses significant challenges due to their small size and the limited number of positive events for markers of interest. Despite considerable advances in the last decade, methods for assessing phosphatidylserine exposure and microvesicle release remain a work in progress. Unfortunately, no single universally applicable protocol exists, and several factors must be evaluated to determine the most appropriate methodology for each specific application. Here, we describe a detailed protocol for isolating washed platelets from human blood, followed by collagen and/or thrombin activation, to measure the exposure of phosphatidylserine and microvesicle release that characterize procoagulant platelets. This protocol is designed to facilitate the initial preparation of platelet-rich plasma and the isolation of washed platelets. Finally, phosphatidylserine exposure and microvesicle release are quantified by flow cytometry, enabling the identification of procoagulant platelets.

Procoagulant platelet formation has been correlated with an increased risk of thrombosis. Presented here is a precise protocol for isolating washed platelets from human blood, intended to quantify the exposure of phosphatidylserine and microvesicle release, which are distinctive features of procoagulant platelets.

Activated platelets promote coagulation primarily by exposing the procoagulant phospholipid phosphatidylserine (PS) on their outer membrane surfaces and ...