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Updated: May 7, 2026
09:16
Rapid Fluorescence-based Characterization of Single Extracellular Vesicles in Human Blood with Nanoparticle-tracking Analysis
Published on: January 7, 2019
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Extracellular Vesicle Marker Changes Associated With Disease Activity in Relapsing-Remitting Multiple Sclerosis
Victoria Lim Falk1,2,3, Nicole Mueller-Wirth4,5, Dimitris Karathanasis6
1Department of Neurology, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, University of Bern, Switzerland.
Neurology(R) Neuroimmunology & Neuroinflammation
|April 29, 2025
Summary
Extracellular vesicles (EVs) show altered levels and sizes in patients with Multiple Sclerosis (MS), Neuromyelitis Optica Spectrum Disorder (NMOSD), and MOGAD. Specific EV markers may indicate disease stabilization in MS.
Area of Science:
- Neuroimmunology
- Biomarker Discovery
- Extracellular Vesicle Biology
Background:
- Multiple Sclerosis (MS), Neuromyelitis Optica Spectrum Disorder (NMOSD), and Myelin Oligodendrocyte Glycoprotein Antibody-Associated Disease (MOGAD) are central nervous system autoimmune disorders.
- Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are implicated in immune responses and may serve as disease-specific biomarkers.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze the composition of EVs in patients with relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS), NMOSD, and MOGAD compared to healthy controls (HCs).
- To investigate EVs as potential biomarkers for disease signatures, treatment effects, and progression.
Main Methods:
- Plasma concentrations of neurofilament light chain (NfL) and glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) were measured using SIMOA.
- EV size, concentration, and epitopes were analyzed using SP-IRIS, NTA, SmartSEC, cryo-electron microscopy, and flow cytometry.
Main Results:
- NfL and GFAP levels were elevated in RRMS patients; GFAP was also increased in NMOSD patients.
- EV density was lower in RRMS patients, while mean EV size increased across all three disease groups compared to HCs.
- Specific EV surface markers (CD29, CD31, CD69) showed changes in RRMS patients correlated with disease activity and NfL/GFAP levels.
Conclusions:
- Elevated levels of specific EVs in RRMS patients with low NfL/GFAP may indicate reduced immune cell activity.
- These EV markers could potentially characterize RRMS patients during disease stabilization.
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