Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: Introduction: Brain-derived extracellular vesicles (BDEVs) can cross the blood-brain barrier and enter the periphery. Therefore, quantifying and analyzing peripherally circulating BDEVs offer a promising approach to directly obtain a window into central nervous system (CNS) pathobiology in vivo. Rapidly evolving CNS diseases require high-frequency sampling, but daily venipuncture of human subjects is highly invasive and usually unfeasible. Methods: To address this challenge, here we present a novel method for isolating astrocyte-derived extracellular vesicles from urine (uADEVs), combining urine concentration, ultracentrifugation to isolate total EVs, and then glutamate-aspartate transporter (GLAST) EV isolation using an anti-GLAST antibody. Results: The identity of these GLAST+EVs as uADEVs was confirmed by transmission electron microscopy, nanoparticle tracking analysis, western blotting, and assessment of astrocyte-related neurotrophins. Conclusions: Leveraging the convenience and availability of urine samples, the non-invasive uADEV approach provides a novel tool that allows high-frequency sampling to investigate rapidly evolving CNS diseases.
DOI: 10.2147/ijn.s492381
Authors: Xin-hui Xie, Mian-mian Chen, Shu-xian Xu, Junhua Mei, Qing Yang, Chao Wang, Honggang Lyu, Qian Gong, Zhongchun Liu
Language: English
Subfield: Molecular Biology
Domain: Life Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $2,836
Award: G3947020825
OpenAlex ID: W4407944685