Int Neurourol J.  2017 Jun;21(2):83-96. 10.5213/inj.1734961.458.

Extracellular Vesicles as a Source of Urological Biomarkers: Lessons Learned From Advances and Challenges in Clinical Applications to Major Diseases

• Choi JY
• Kim S
• Kwak HB
• Park DH
• Park JH
• Ryu JS
• Park CS
• Kang JH

• KMID: 2387168
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.5213/inj.1734961.458

Abstract

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) not only eliminate unwanted molecular components, but also carry molecular cargo essential for specific intercellular communication mechanisms. As the molecular characteristics and biogenetical mechanisms of heterogeneous EVs are different, many studies have attempted to purify and characterize EVs. In particular, exosomal molecules, including proteins, lipids, and nucleic acids, have been suggested as disease biomarkers or therapeutic targets in various diseases. However, several unresolved issues and challenges remain despite these promising results, including source variability before the isolation of exosomes from body fluids, the contamination of proteins during isolation, and methodological issues related to the purification of exosomes. This paper reviews the general characteristics of EVs, particularly microvesicles and exosomes, along with their physiological roles and contribution to the pathogenesis of major diseases, several widely used methods to isolate exosomes, and challenges in the development of disease biomarkers using the molecular contents of EVs isolated from body fluids.

Keyword

Extracellular vesicles; Exosomes; Purification; Biomarkers

MeSH Terms

Biomarkers*
Body Fluids
Exosomes
Extracellular Vesicles*
Nucleic Acids
Biomarkers
Nucleic Acids