Biomedical
Extracellular vesicles and glycans
Peer Reviewed
Abstract
Highlights • Biological fluids contain nano-sized particles called extracellular vesicles • Extracellular vesicles properties reflect the physiological and pathological state of the parent cells • Extracellular vesicles as analytes are suitable for use in liquid biopsy-based real-time diagnostics • Glycans, complex oligosaccharides, are distinct components of extracellular vesicles membrane and cargo • Mapping extracellular vesicles glycans is of importance for finding new composite biomarkers The investigation of biomarkers is constantly evolving. New molecules and molecular assemblies, such as soluble and particulate complexes, emerged as biomarkers from basic research and investigation of different proteomes, genomes, and glycomes. Extracellular vesicles (EVs), and glycans, complex carbohydrates are ubiquitous in nature. The composition and structure of both reflect physiological state of paternal cells and are strikingly changed in diseases. The EV-associated glycans, alone or in combination with soluble glycans in related biological fluids, used as analytes, aim to capture full complex biomarker picture, enabling its use in different clinical settings. Bringing together EVs and glycans can help to extract meaningful data from their extreme and distinct heterogeneities for use in the real-time diagnostics. The glycans on the surface of EVs could mark their subpopulations and establish the glycosignature, the solubilisation signature and molecular patterns. They all contribute to a new way of looking at and looking for composite biomarkers.
Key Questions
1. What is the primary objective of the study?
The study aims to investigate the potential of EV-associated glycans, alone or in combination with soluble glycans in biological fluids, as analytes for comprehensive biomarker profiling in clinical settings.
2. What methodology was employed in the research?
The authors provide an overview of the theoretical framework and methodological approaches for analyzing EVs and glycans, focusing on their application in clinical chemistry.
3. What were the main findings of the study?
The study highlights the heterogeneity of EVs and glycans in terms of structure, composition, and function. It emphasizes that combining EVs and glycans can extract meaningful data from their distinct heterogeneities, facilitating real-time diagnostics.
Summary
Janković and Janković (2024) discuss the evolving field of biomarker research, focusing on EVs and glycans. They emphasize the importance of these molecules in reflecting the physiological and pathological states of cells and their potential in enhancing diagnostic accuracy.
