Transgenic rats for tracking body fluid/tissue-derived extracellular vesicles

Area of Science:

• Biochemistry
• Cell Biology
• Neuroscience

Background:

• Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are key mediators of intercellular communication.
• In vivo visualization of EVs is crucial for understanding their biogenesis and function.
• The tetraspanin CD63 is a common marker for EVs and can be fluorescently tagged for tracking.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and present methods for isolating and tracking extracellular vesicles (EVs) in vivo.
• To utilize transgenic rats expressing CD63-GFP for enhanced EV visualization.
• To investigate EV transfer and biogenesis in body fluids and brain tissue.

Main Methods:

• Generation of transgenic rats expressing CD63-GFP in body fluids and brain.
• Isolation of extracellular vesicles (EVs) from various biological samples.
• Development of in vivo assays for EV tracking and transfer analysis.

Main Results:

• Successful isolation of CD63-GFP labeled EVs from transgenic rat body fluids and brains.
• Demonstration of EV transfer and communication pathways in vivo.
• Validation of CD63-GFP as a reliable marker for in vivo EV studies.

Conclusions:

• Transgenic rats expressing CD63-GFP provide a valuable tool for in vivo extracellular vesicle (EV) research.
• The developed assays facilitate the study of EV biogenesis, trafficking, and intercellular communication.
• This approach enhances our ability to visualize and understand EV roles in physiological and pathological processes.