Considerations for the analysis of small extracellular vesicles in physical exercice
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Abstract
Physical exercise induces acute physiological changes leading to enhanced tissue
cross-talk and a liberation of extracellular vesicles (EVs) into the circulation. EVs are
cell-derived membranous entities which carry bioactive material, such as proteins and
RNA species, and are important mediators of cell-cell-communication. Different types of
physical exercise interventions trigger the release of diverse EV subpopulations, which
are hypothesized to be involved in physiological adaptation processes leading to health
benefits and longevity. Large EVs (“microvesicles” and “microparticles”) are studied
frequently in the context of physical exercise using straight forward flow cytometry
approaches. However, the analysis of small EVs (sEVs) including exosomes is hampered
by the complex composition of blood, confounding the methodology of EV isolation and
characterization. This mini review presents a concise overview of the current state of
research on sEVs released upon physical exercise (ExerVs), highlighting the technical
limits of ExerV analysis. The purity of EV preparations is highly influenced by the co-isolation
of non-EV structures in the size range or density of EVs, such as lipoproteins and protein
aggregates. Technical constraints associated with EV purification challenge the
quantification of distinct ExerV populations, the identification of their cargo, and the
investigation of their biological functions. Here, we offer recommendations for the isolation
and characterization of ExerVs to minimize the effects of these drawbacks. Technological
advances in the ExerV research field will improve understanding of the inter-cellular crosstalk induced by physical exercise leading to health benefits
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Frontiers in physiology, 11, Frontiers Research Foundation, Lausanne, 2020, https://doi.org/10.3389/fphys.2020.576150