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Updated: Sep 6, 2025

Isolation and Characterization of Microvesicles from Peripheral Blood
Published on: January 6, 2017
Blood Cell-Derived Microvesicles in Hematological Diseases and beyond
Hara T Georgatzakou1, Sotirios P Fortis1, Effie G Papageorgiou1
1Laboratory of Reliability and Quality Control in Laboratory Hematology (HemQcR), Department of Biomedical Sciences, School of Health & Caring Sciences, University of West Attica (UniWA), 12243 Egaleo, Greece.
Microvesicles, released by blood cells, are key in cell communication and disease. These extracellular vesicles have roles in both promoting and protecting against various hematological and non-hematological diseases.
Area of Science:
- Cell Biology
- Hematology
- Pathophysiology
Background:
- Microvesicles (or ectosomes) are extracellular vesicles formed by plasma membrane budding.
- They mediate intercellular communication, cellular repair, and waste removal.
- Their size typically falls between exosomes and apoptotic vesicles.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the characteristics of microvesicles originating from blood cells.
- To explore their involvement in hematological and non-hematological diseases.
- To discuss their potential as diagnostic and therapeutic biomarkers.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of microvesicle research.
- Analysis of studies on blood cell-derived microvesicles.
- Synthesis of findings on disease associations.
Main Results:
- Plasma microvesicles from leukocytes, red blood cells, and platelets are altered in numerous diseases.
- These microvesicles contribute to pathophysiological states via inflammatory, coagulation, and immunomodulatory pathways.
- They can exert both detrimental and protective effects on disease progression.
Conclusions:
- Blood cell-derived microvesicles are implicated in diverse diseases, influencing outcomes.
- Despite potential adverse roles, they can also offer protective functions.
- Microvesicles hold promise as biomarkers for disease diagnosis, monitoring, and therapy.
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