Plasma extracellular vesicles enriched for neuronal origin: A potential window into brain pathologic processes

Maja Mustapic, Erez Eitan, John K. Werner, Sean T. Berkowitz, Michael P. Lazaropoulos, Joyce Tran, Edward J. Goetzl, Dimitrios Kapogiannis

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

351 Scopus citations

Abstract

Our team has been a pioneer in harvesting extracellular vesicles (EVs) enriched for neuronal origin from peripheral blood and using them as a biomarker discovery platform for neurological disorders. This methodology has demonstrated excellent diagnostic and predictive performance for Alzheimer's and other neurodegenerative diseases in multiple studies, providing a strong proof of concept for this approach. Here, we describe our methodology in detail and offer further evidence that isolated EVs are enriched for neuronal origin. In addition, we present evidence that EVs enriched for neuronal origin represent a more sensitive and accurate base for biomarkers than plasma, serum, or non-enriched total plasma EVs. Finally, we proceed to investigate the protein content of EVs enriched for neuronal origin and compare it with other relevant enriched and non-enriched populations of plasma EVs. Neuronal-origin enriched plasma EVs contain higher levels of signaling molecules of great interest for cellular metabolism, survival, and repair, which may be useful as biomarkers and to follow response to therapeutic interventions in a mechanism-specific manner.

Original languageEnglish
Article number278
JournalFrontiers in Neuroscience
Volume11
Issue numberMAY
DOIs
StatePublished - 22 May 2017
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Alzheimer's disease
  • Biological markers
  • Extracellular vesicles (EVs)
  • Liquid biopsy diagnostics
  • Phosphorylated tau protein

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Neuroscience

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Plasma extracellular vesicles enriched for neuronal origin: A potential window into brain pathologic processes'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this