Quantitative and qualitative flow cytometric analysis of nanosized cell-derived membrane vesicles

Esther N M Nolte - t Hoen, Els J. van der Vlist, Marian Aalberts, Hendrik C H Mertens, Berend Jan Bosch, Willem Bartelink, Enrico Mastrobattista, Ethlinn V B van Gaal, Willem Stoorvogel, Ger J.A. Arkesteijn Arkesteijn, Marca H M Wauben*

*Corresponding author for this work

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticleAcademicpeer-review

    Abstract

    Nanosized cell-derived membrane vesicles are increasingly recognized as therapeutic vehicles and high-potential biomarkers for several diseases. Currently available methods allow bulk analysis of vesicles but are not suited for accurate quantification and fail to reveal phenotypic heterogeneity in membrane vesicle populations. For such analyses, single vesicle-based, multiparameter, high-throughput methods are needed. We developed a fluorescence-based, high-resolution flow cytometric method for quantitative and qualitative analysis of nanosized membrane vesicles. Proof of principle was obtained by single-particle analysis of virions and liposomes. Further validation was obtained by quantification of cell-derived nanosized membrane vesicles from cell cultures and body fluids. An important aspect was that the technology was extended to detect specific proteins on individual vesicles. This allowed identification of exosome subsets and phenotyping of individual exosomes produced by dendritic cells (DCs) undergoing different modes of activation. The described technology allows quantitative, multiparameter, and high-throughput analysis of a wide variety of nanosized particles and has broad applications. From the Clinical Editor: The authors developed a fluorescence-based, high-resolution flow cytometric method for quantitative and qualitative analysis of nanosized cell-derived membrane vesicles that are increasingly recognized both as therapeutic vehicles and high-potential biomarkers for several diseases. A high throughput, easily available, and sensitive detection method such as the one discussed here is a critically important prerequisite for further refinements of this technology.

    Original languageEnglish
    Pages (from-to)712-720
    Number of pages9
    JournalNanomedicine : nanotechnology, biology and medicine
    Volume8
    Issue number5
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - Jul 2012

    Keywords

    • Biomarkers
    • Cellular membrane vesicles
    • Dendritic cells
    • Exosomes
    • Flow cytometry
    • Microvesicles
    • Nanovesicles

    Fingerprint

    Dive into the research topics of 'Quantitative and qualitative flow cytometric analysis of nanosized cell-derived membrane vesicles'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

    Cite this