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Updated: Aug 6, 2026
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Isolation, Characterization, and Proteomic Analysis of Plasma-Derived Extracellular Vesicles for Cardiovascular Biomarker Discovery
Published on: January 31, 2025
Protocol for SEC-based isolation and characterization of human plasma-derived extracellular vesicles
Fanni Annamária Boros1, Philipp Arnold2, Martin Regensburger1
1Department of Molecular Neurology, University Hospital Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-University, Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), 91054 Erlangen, Germany.
STAR Protocols
|July 23, 2026
Summary
Researchers developed a size-exclusion chromatography method to isolate extracellular vesicles (EVs) from human plasma. This study details EV sample quality assessment and characterization techniques for biomarker and therapeutic research.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Cell Biology
- Nanotechnology
Background:
- Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are crucial in cell-to-cell communication.
- EVs are increasingly studied for their roles in disease mechanisms and as biomarkers.
- Therapeutic applications of EVs are under active investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To present a size-exclusion chromatography (SEC) method for enriching human plasma extracellular vesicles (EVs).
- To outline procedures for assessing the quality of enriched EV samples.
- To detail methods for characterizing EVs using established techniques.
Main Methods:
- Size-exclusion chromatography (SEC) for EV enrichment from human plasma.
- Western blot analysis for EV protein markers.
- Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) for EV morphology.
- Nanoparticle tracking analysis (NTA) for EV size and concentration.
Main Results:
- Successfully enriched extracellular vesicles (EVs) from human plasma using SEC.
- Established protocols for evaluating the purity and integrity of EV preparations.
- Characterized enriched EVs confirming their size, morphology, and concentration.
Conclusions:
- SEC is an effective method for isolating and enriching extracellular vesicles (EVs) from human plasma.
- Comprehensive quality assessment and characterization are vital for reliable EV research.
- This methodology supports further investigation into EVs for biomarker discovery and therapeutic development.
