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Updated: May 8, 2026

Isolation and Characterization of Microvesicles from Peripheral Blood
Published on: January 6, 2017
C-src enriched serum microvesicles are generated in malignant plasma cell dyscrasia
Giuseppe Di Noto1, Lucia Paolini, Andrea Zendrini
1Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy.
Abstract:
Plasma cell dyscrasias are immunosecretory disorders that can lead to hematological malignancies such as Multiple Myeloma (MM). MM accounts for 15% of all hematologic cancers, and those diagnosed with MM typically become severely ill and have a low life expectancy. Monoclonal immunoglobulin Free Light Chains (FLC) are present in the serum and urine of many patients with plasma cell diseases. The biological differences between monoclonal FLCs, produced under malignant or benign dyscrasias, has not yet been characterized. In the present study, we show that endothelial and heart muscle cell lines internalize kappa and lambda FLCs. After internalization, FLCs are rerouted in the extracellular space via microvesicles and exosomes that can be re-internalized in contiguous cells. Only FLCs secreted from malignant B Lymphocytes were carried in Hsp70, annexin V, and c-src positive vesicles. In both MM and AL Amyloidosis patients we observed an increase in microvesicle and exosome production. Isolated serum vesicles from MM, AL Amyloidosis and monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS) patients contained FLCs. Furthermore MM and AL amyloidosis vesicles were strongly positive for Hsp70, annexin V, and c-src compared to MGUS and control patients. These are the first data implying that FLCs reroute via microvesicles in the blood stream, and also suggest a potential novel mechanism of c-src activation in plasma cell dyscrasia.
Insights
Monoclonal immunoglobulin Free Light Chains (FLCs) from malignant cells are transported in specific vesicles, suggesting a novel mechanism in plasma cell dyscrasias like Multiple Myeloma.
Area of Science:
- Hematology
- Immunology
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Plasma cell dyscrasias, including Multiple Myeloma (MM), are immunosecretory disorders.
- Monoclonal immunoglobulin Free Light Chains (FLCs) are biomarkers in these conditions.
- The biological behavior of FLCs in malignant versus benign conditions is not well understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the biological differences and transport mechanisms of monoclonal FLCs.
- To characterize the role of microvesicles and exosomes in FLC dissemination.
- To explore potential mechanisms of disease progression in plasma cell dyscrasias.
Main Methods:
- Utilized endothelial and heart muscle cell lines to study FLC internalization.
- Analyzed FLC transport via microvesicles and exosomes.
- Investigated the presence of specific markers (Hsp70, annexin V, c-src) in vesicles from patients with MM, AL Amyloidosis, and MGUS.
Main Results:
- Endothelial and heart muscle cells internalize both kappa and lambda FLCs.
- Internalized FLCs are rerouted extracellularly via microvesicles and exosomes, with potential for re-uptake by adjacent cells.
- FLCs from malignant B lymphocytes are specifically packaged in vesicles containing Hsp70, annexin V, and c-src.
- Increased microvesicle and exosome production observed in MM and AL Amyloidosis patients.
- Serum vesicles from MM, AL Amyloidosis, and MGUS patients contain FLCs.
- Vesicles from MM and AL Amyloidosis patients show significantly higher positivity for Hsp70, annexin V, and c-src compared to MGUS and controls.
Conclusions:
- FLCs can be transported via microvesicles in the bloodstream.
- This suggests a novel mechanism for FLC dissemination and potential c-src activation in plasma cell dyscrasias.
- Characterization of FLC-containing vesicles may offer new diagnostic or therapeutic targets.
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