Naturally occurring extracellular vesicles (EVs) and synthetic nanoparticles like liposomes have revolutionized precision diagnostics and medicine. EVs excel in biocompatibility and cell targeting, while liposomes offer enhanced drug loading capacity and scalability. The clinical translation of EVs is hindered by challenges including low yield and heterogeneity, whereas liposomes face rapid immune clearance and limited targeting efficiency. To bridge these gaps, biomimetic synthetic vesicles (SVs) have emerged as innovative platforms, combining the advantageous properties of EVs and liposomes. This review emphasizes critical aspects of EV biology, such as mechanisms of EV-cell interaction and source-dependent functionalities in targeting, immune modulation, and tissue regeneration, informing biomimetic SV engineering. We reviewed a broad array of biomimetic SVs, with a focus on lipid bilayered vesicles functionalized with proteins. These include cell-derived nanovesicles, protein-functionalized liposomes, and hybrid vesicles. By addressing current challenges and highlighting opportunities, this review aims to advance biomimetic SVs for transformative biomedical applications.

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) carry molecules derived from donor cells and are able to alter the properties of recipient cells. They are important players during the genesis and progression of tumors. Uveal melanoma (UM) is the most common primary intraocular tumor in adults and is associated with a high rate of metastasis, primarily to the liver. However, the mechanisms underlying this process are poorly understood. In the present study, we analyzed the oncogenic potential of UM-derived EVs and their protein signature. We isolated and characterized EVs from five UM cell lines and from normal choroidal melanocytes (NCMs). BRCA1-deficient fibroblasts (Fibro-BKO) were exposed to the EVs and analyzed for their growth in vitro and their reprograming potential in vivo following inoculation into NOD-SCID mice. Mass spectrometry of proteins from UM-EVs and NCM-EVs was performed to determine a protein signature that could elucidate potential key players in UM progression. In-depth analyses showed the presence of exosomal markers, and proteins involved in cell-cell and focal adhesion, endocytosis, and PI3K-Akt signaling pathway. Notably, we observed high expression levels of HSP90, HSP70 and integrin V in UM-EVs. Our data bring new evidence on the involvement of UM-EVs in cancer progression and metastasis.

Purpose: Uveal melanoma (UM) is the most common intraocular malignant tumor in adults. Extracellular vesicles (EVs) have been extensively studied as a biomarker to monitor disease in patients. The study of new biomarkers in melanoma patients could prevent metastasis by earlier diagnosis. In this study, we determined the proteomic profile of EVs isolated from aqueous humor (AH), vitreous humor (VH), and plasma from UM patients in comparison with cancer-free control patients. Methods: AH, VH and plasma were collected from seven patients with UM after enucleation; AH and plasma were collected from seven cancer-free patients with cataract (CAT; control group). EVs were isolated using the membrane-based affinity binding column method. Nanoparticle tracking analysis (NTA) was performed to determine the size and concentration of EVs. EV markers, CD63 and TSG101, were assessed by immunoblotting, and the EV proteome was characterized by mass spectrometry. Results: Mean EV concentration was higher in all analytes of UM patients compared to those in the CAT group. In the UM cohort, the mean concentration of EVs was significantly lower in AH and plasma than in VH. In contrast, the mean size and size distribution of EVs was invariably identical in all analyzed analytes and in both studied groups (UM vs. CAT). Mass spectrometry analyses from the different analytes from UM patients showed the presence of EV markers. Conclusion: EVs isolated from AH, VH, and plasma from patients with UM showed consistent profiles and support the use of blood to monitor UM patients as a noninvasive liquid biopsy.

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) play an important role in cell‐cell communication, carrying bioactive molecules including DNA. EV‐associated DNA (EV‐DNA) has created enormous interest in the field of biomarkers, particularly related to liquid biopsy. However, its analysis is challenging due to the nanoscale structure of EVs, the low abundance of EV‐DNA, and surrounding biogenetic debate. Therefore, novel protocols to enhance the accurate detection of EV‐DNA are essential to study its role in normal physiology and disease states. Here, we provide two protocols for confirming the presence of EV‐DNA from biological samples. In the first protocol, ultrathin sectioning of EVs is combined with immunogold labeling to detect the presence of double‐stranded (ds) DNA within the EV lumen using transmission electron microscopy (TEM). In the second protocol, whole‐mount EV immunogold labeling allows detailed morphological analysis of EVs and their surface‐associated DNA. Using TEM imaging, we have demonstrated that cancer‐cell‐derived individual EVs exhibit simultaneous positivity for dsDNA and the EV surface protein tetraspanin 9. We believe that this method can be used to label any proteins of interest inside as well as on the surface of EVs. This can aid in the characterization of single EVs and in the identification and verification of EV‐associated biomarkers. © 2024 The Author(s). Current Protocols published by Wiley Periodicals LLC.Basic Protocol 1: EV isolation from cell‐culture‐conditioned medium, EV embedding, ultrathin sectioning, labeling, and imagingBasic Protocol 2: Whole‐mount immunolabeling of EV‐DNA

Introduction: Extracellular vesicles (EVs) play a crucial role in disseminating cancer to distant organs, communicating with the tumor microenvironment to prepare the metastatic niche, and through horizontal transfer of oncogenic traits to recipient cells. EV parameters influencing cellular uptake include surface proteins, lipid profile, and physicochemical properties such as size and zeta potential. EVs isolated from cells are heterogeneous populations, which hinder the study of single EV variables and their influence on cellular uptake. Moreover, EV isolation is a lengthy and laborious process with an extremely low yield. Liposomes are synthetic vesicles that share properties with EVs, such as the lipid bilayer and the capability to encapsulate relevant biomolecules. In this study, we used a uveal melanoma (UM) model, a highly liver metastatic tumor, to characterize naturally occurring EVs and model them using liposomes. Methods: We utilized liposomes as a model of EVs to study how the size and zeta potential influence cellular internalization. EVs were isolated from primary UM cells (MP41) using ultracentrifugation (UC) and characterized using dynamic light scattering, nanoparticle tracking analysis, as well as electrophoretic mobility for hydrodynamic size, concentration, and zeta potential, respectively. Liposomes mimicking EVs were produced using the periodic disturbance mixer (nanoprecipitation). The lipid composition was DMPC: CHOL: DHP at different ratios and 0.2% molar concentration of SP-DiIC18(3) as labeling reagent. Liposomes were then dialyzed overnight using a membrane size of 12kDa. Cellular uptake was assessed in immortalized human hepatocytes, representing the liver microenvironment. Results: Using surface response methodology (SRM), we created a model to predict size and zeta potential depending on liposome manufacturing conditions. We produced anionic and neutral liposomes with zeta potential ~-30 mV and 0mV, respectively, and with a size of ~150 nm, similar to EVs derived from MP41 cells in order to evaluate the influence of zeta potential in cellular uptake. Our results showed no significant differences at 0 and 6 hours between anionic and neutral EV-like liposomes. By contrast, the uptake of the anionic liposomes was significantly higher at 24 h compared to neutral ones. Moreover, EV-like liposomes were produced 1000x more concentrated than naturally occurring EVs isolated using UC. Conclusion: In this study, we describe a novel approach using synthetic biology to produce EV-like liposomes as a model to study EV cellular uptake and its role in metastasis. Our data demonstrate that liposomes are a feasible tool to study EV variables individually, thereby addressing the high heterogeneity of biological samples, and producing high liposome yield, thereby helping to accelerate research Citation Format: Rubén Rodrigo López Salazar, Chaymaa Zouggari, Thupten Tsering, Prisca Bustamante Alvarez, Ion Stiharu, Catherine Mounier, Vahe Nerguizian, Julia V. Burnier. Cancer cell-derived extracellular vesicle mimicking: A parametric study of the physicochemical characteristics of EVs and their influence on cellular uptake in metastasis [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2022; 2022 Apr 8-13. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2022;82(12_Suppl):Abstract nr 1741.

Background: Circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) has emerged as a clinically valuable biomarker for cancer detection, treatment monitoring, and minimal residual disease assessment. Despite its growing clinical utility, the biological mechanisms governing ctDNA release remain incompletely understood. The objective of this study was to investigate how chemotherapy-induced cytotoxicity and chemoresistance influence the kinetics and fragmentation patterns of cfDNA released by cancer cells in vitro. Methods: Human lung adenocarcinoma (A549) and esophageal adenocarcinoma (FLO-1, OE19) cell lines were used to investigate cell-free DNA (cfDNA) release and fragmentation in vitro. Cancer cells were treated with chemotherapy (cisplatin and 5-fluorouracil), and cfDNA released into the culture medium was quantified as total cfDNA by Qubit fluorometry and mutation-specific cfDNA by droplet digital PCR (ddPCR). A cisplatin-resistant OE19 model was generated to directly compare cfDNA release kinetics between chemosensitive and chemoresistant cells. Fragment size distributions were determined and evaluated alongside cell death mechanisms assessed by flow cytometry. Results: cfDNA release correlated positively with viable tumor cell number across all cell lines. Chemotherapy increased per-cell cfDNA release in all cell lines. Chemosensitive OE19 cells exhibited significantly higher cfDNA release compared to chemoresistant OE19 cells following cisplatin exposure, with distinct temporal release kinetics. Additionally, chemotherapy treatment induced a shift toward the release of larger DNA fragments in both chemosensitive and resistant cells. This was accompanied by changes in PI-positive and Annexin V/PI double-positive cell populations, suggesting altered cell death processes following cisplatin treatment. Conclusions: Chemotherapy-induced cytotoxicity significantly influences cfDNA release kinetics and fragmentation patterns, with distinct effects in chemosensitive and chemoresistant cancer cells. These findings provide mechanistic insight into tumor-derived DNA release biology and may have important implications for the interpretation, timing, and standardization of liquid biopsy testing during treatment. Furthermore, they establish in vitro cancer models as a valuable platform for studying cfDNA dynamics and informing preclinical therapeutic development.