The Promises, Methodological Discrepancies and Pitfalls in Measurement of Cell-Derived Extracellular Vesicles in Diseases

Abstract

Cell-derived extracellular vesicles (EVs) are heterogeneous population of phospholipid-based endogenously produced particles. EVs are detected in several biological fluids and tissues as biomarkers of diseases and target of medicines. The conventional approach for measuring the MPs is based on commonly used flow cytometry, fluorescent methods, and nano-particle tracking analysis that recognized as a gold standard, as well as Western blot analysis, dynamic light scattering, resistive pulse sensing, mass spectrometry-based proteomic methods and electron microscopy. However the definition of MPs using these techniques is yet under discussion. The aim of the review: to summarize the knowledge regarding detection and measurement of the EVs and define the balance between advantages and limitations of each contemporary analytical methods of EV assay.