Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are lipid-bilayer enclosed nano-sized vesicles that are released by all cell types and found in all bodily fluids. EVs are emerging as important regulators of both physiological and pathological processes thanks to their ability to actively deliver a cargo of bioactive molecules (e.g., proteins, nucleic acids). Several functions have been attributed to EVs, including but not limited to intercellular signaling, mediation of the cross talk between cells and the microenvironment, modulation of angiogenesis, formation of the pre-metastatic niche and remodeling of the extracellular matrix. EVs are currently under investigation globally, in pre-clinical and clinical trial settings, for potential clinical applications, such as endogenous vehicles for drug delivery, and as biomarkers of disease (i.e., liquid biopsy). Notably, in the field of regenerative medicine stem cell-derived EVs are being tested in cell-free tissue regeneration applications. Because of the rapid expansion of the EV research field, the Extracellular Vesicle Core was founded at CHLA in 2018, as the first in the country to provide the research community with expertise, optimized tools and up to date technologies dedicated to the field of EVs. The core provides isolation, characterization, and analysis of EVs in an effort to facilitate EV research by adhering to the ever-evolving guidelines for standardization developed by the International Society of Extracellular Vesicles. The EV core assists researchers in the discovery and validation of vesicle-linked biomarkers and in the preparation of purified extracellular vesicles for functional analysis with the potential to facilitate future clinical developments.

Learning objectives:

1. Define the main types of Extracellular Vesicles.

2. Outline three methods utilized for the isolation of Extracellular Vesicles.

3. Outline the areas of potential therapeutic applications of Extracellular Vesicles.