• Food Science of Animal Resources
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• v.37 no.5
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• pp.654-662
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• 2017

Extracellular microvesicles are membranous nano-sized cellular organelles secreted by a variety of cells under normal and pathological conditions and heterogeneous in size ranging from 30 nm to $1{\mu}m$. They carry functional microRNAs that can influence immunity and development. For a particular application of microvesicles, choice of isolation method is particularly important; however, their isolation methods from colostrum in particular have not been described clearly. In this work, differential ultracentrifugation as a conventional method, ultracentrifugation with some modification such as additional precipitations, ultrafiltration, sucrose gradient separation and ExoQuick$^{TM}$ as a commercial reagent were compared. The goal was to compare mainly microvesicular total microRNA yield, distribution and purity among the methods then select the best isolation method for bovine colostrum microvesicles based largely on microRNA yield with the view of applying the vesicles in work where vesicular microRNA cargo is the target bioactive component. Highest yields for vesicular microRNA were obtained using conventional methods and among them, subsequent ultracentrifugation with 100,000 g and 135,000 g conventional method 2 was selected as it had the highest RNA to protein ratio indicating that it pelleted the least protein in relation to RNA an important factor for in vivo applications to assess microvesicle functionalities without risk of contaminating non-vesicular biomaterial. Microvesicles isolated using conventional method 2 were successfully internalized by cells in vitro showing their potential to deliver their cargo into cells in vitro and in vivo in case of functional studies.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.26 no.5
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• pp.918-927
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• 2016

Cryptococcus neoformans is a life-threatening pathogenic yeast that causes devastating meningoencephalitis. The mechanism of cryptococcal brain invasion is largely unknown, and recent studies suggest that its extracellular microvesicles may be involved in the invasion process. The 14-3-3 protein is abundant in the extracellular microvesicles of C. neoformans, and the 14-3-3-GFP fusion has been used as the microvesicle's marker. However, the physiological role of 14-3-3 has not been explored. In this report, we have found that C. neoformans contains a single 14-3-3 gene that apparently is an essential gene. To explore the functions of 14-3-3, we substituted the promoter region of the 14-3-3 with the copper-controllable promoter CTR4. The CTR4 regulatory strain showed an enlarged cell size, drastic changes in morphology, and a decrease in the thickness of the capsule under copper-enriched conditions. Furthermore, the mutant cells produced a lower amount of total proteins in their extracellular microvesicles and reduced adhesion to human brain microvascular endothelial cells in vitro. Proteomic analyses of the protein components under 14-3-3-overexpressed and -suppressed conditions revealed that the 14-3-3 function(s) might be associated with the microvesicle biogenesis. Our results support that 14-3-3 has diverse pertinent roles in both physiology and pathogenesis in C. neoformans. Its gene functions are closely relevant to the pathogenesis of this fungus.

• 한국전자현미경학회:학술대회논문집
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• 2004.05a
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• pp.50-52
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• 2004

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.31 no.3
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• pp.253-263
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• 2023

The biogenesis and biological roles of extracellular vesicles (EVs) in the progression of liver diseases have attracted considerable attention in recent years. EVs are membrane-bound nanosized vesicles found in different types of body fluids and contain various bioactive materials, including proteins, lipids, nucleic acids, and mitochondrial DNA. Based on their origin and biogenesis, EVs can be classified as apoptotic bodies, microvesicles, and exosomes. Among these, exosomes are the smallest EVs (30-150 nm in diameter), which play a significant role in cell-to-cell communication and epigenetic regulation. Moreover, exosomal content analysis can reveal the functional state of the parental cell. Therefore, exosomes can be applied to various purposes, including disease diagnosis and treatment, drug delivery, cell-free vaccines, and regenerative medicine. However, exosome-related research faces two major limitations: isolation of exosomes with high yield and purity and distinction of exosomes from other EVs (especially microvesicles). No standardized exosome isolation method has been established to date; however, various exosome isolation strategies have been proposed to investigate their biological roles. Exosome-mediated intercellular communications are known to be involved in alcoholic liver disease and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease development. Damaged hepatocytes or nonparenchymal cells release large numbers of exosomes that promote the progression of inflammation and fibrogenesis through interactions with neighboring cells. Exosomes are expected to provide insight on the progression of liver disease. Here, we review the biogenesis of exosomes, exosome isolation techniques, and biological roles of exosomes in alcoholic liver disease and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease.

• BMB Reports
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• v.55 no.1
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• pp.3-10
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• 2022

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) released from different types of kidney cells under physiologic conditions contribute to homeostasis maintenance, immune-modulation, and cell-to-cell communications. EVs can also negatively affect the progression of renal diseases through their pro-inflammatory, pro-fibrotic, and tumorigenic potential. Inhibiting EVs by blocking their production, release, and uptake has been suggested as a potential therapeutic mechanism based on the significant implication of exosomes in various renal diseases. On the other hand, stem cell-derived EVs can ameliorate tissue injury and mediate tissue repair by ameliorating apoptosis, inflammation, and fibrosis while promoting angiogenesis and tubular cell proliferation. Recent advancement in biomedical engineering technique has made it feasible to modulate the composition of exosomes with diverse biologic functions, making EV one of the most popular drug delivery tools. The objective of this review was to provide updates of recent clinical and experimental findings on the therapeutic potential of EVs in renal diseases and discuss the clinical applicability of EVs in various renal diseases.

• BMB Reports
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• v.47 no.10
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• pp.531-539
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• 2014

All living cells release extracellular vesicles having pleiotropic functions in intercellular communication. Mammalian extracellular vesicles, also known as exosomes and microvesicles, are spherical bilayered proteolipids composed of various bioactive molecules, including RNAs, DNAs, proteins, and lipids. Extracellular vesicles directly and indirectly control a diverse range of biological processes by transferring membrane proteins, signaling molecules, mRNAs, and miRNAs, and activating receptors of recipient cells. The active interaction of extracellular vesicles with other cells regulates various physiological and pathological conditions, including cancer, infectious diseases, and neurodegenerative disorders. Recent developments in high-throughput proteomics, transcriptomics, and lipidomics tools have provided ample data on the common and specific components of various types of extracellular vesicles. These studies may contribute to the understanding of the molecular mechanism involved in vesicular cargo sorting and the biogenesis of extracellular vesicles, and, further, to the identification of disease-specific biomarkers. This review focuses on the components, functions, and therapeutic and diagnostic potential of extracellular vesicles under various pathophysiological conditions.

• Applied Microscopy
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.35-56
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• 1979

To investigate ultrastructural characteristics of cancer cells of the nervous system, 25 cases; i.e. astrocytoma(9), oligodendroglioma(1), medulloblastoma(1), meningioma(5), pinealoma(2) and pituitary adenomas(7). The common findings were marked irregularity of nuclear membrane with pronounced infoldings, clumping of heterochromatin along inner nuclear membrane, enlargement of nucleolus, and frequent observations of nuclear bodies and nuclear inclusions. But these findings are also the signs that can be observed in hyperactive cells. Thus, ultrastructural characteristics of cancerous nucleus are the great variability of nuclear size, shape and composition. but none of them appear to be specific. Among cytoplasmic organelles, massive fibrils are characteristic of astrocytoma and meningiomas, cytoplasmic protofibrils such as glial process and microvesicles in oligodendroglioma, secretory granules are characteristic in pituitary adenomas, and fine filamentous fibrils and desmosomes are characteristic of fibroblastic type of meningioma. Intercellular relationships and cell membrane specialization are important features in the differential diagnosis of various undifferentiated tumors. The frequent resolution of difficult diagnosis problems by electron microscopy outweighs the disadvantages of this technique, such as the expense and time required.

• Toxicological Research
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.397-402
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• 2006

Lipid mediator such as lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) plays an important role in inflammation and wound heating, has been recently reported to induce influx of extracellular calcium into erythrocytes. This elevation in intracellular calcium level may cause destruction of membrane asymmetry and procoagulant microvesicle formation. Thus, we investigated if the lipid mediator could induce microvesicle formation as a result of extracellular calcium influx in human erythrocytes. Treatment with lipid mediator to erythrocytes resulted in microvesicle generation In a concentration-, time-dependent manner. Microvesicles formed expressed procoagulant phosphatidylserine (PS) on their surface membrane significantly as well. LPA did not affect the band 3 phosphorylation which is involved in morphological change in erythrocytes. Pretreatment with suramin did not inhibit LPA-induced microvesicle generation, suggesting microvesicle generation was not receptor-dependent pathway. Depletion of intracellular ATP levels in erythrocytes was suggested to be one of the mechanism for these events.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.65 no.3
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• pp.652-663
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• 2023

The rumen fluids contain a wide range of bacteria, protozoa, fungi, and viruses. The various ruminal microorganisms in the rumen provide nutrients by fermenting the forage they eat. During metabolic processes, microorganisms present in the rumen release diverse vesicles during the fermentation process. Therefore, in this study, we confirmed the function of rumen extracellular vesicles (EVs) and their interaction with the host. We confirmed the structure of the rumen EVs by transmission electron microscope (TEM) and the size of the particles using nanoparticle tracking analysis (NTA). Rumen EVs range in size from 100 nm to 400 nm and are composed of microvesicles, microparticles, and ectosomes. Using the Caenorhabditis elegans smart animal model, we verified the interaction between the host and rumen EVs. Exposure of C. elegans to rumen EVs did not significantly enhance longevity, whereas exposure to the pathogenic bacteria Escherichia coli O157:H7 and Staphylococcus aureus significantly increased lifespan. Furthermore, transcriptome analysis showed gene expression alterations in C. elegans exposed to rumen EVs, with significant changes in the metabolic pathway, fatty acid degradation, and biosynthesis of cofactors. Our study describes the effect of rumen EV interactions with the host and provides novel insights for discovering biotherapeutic agents in the animal industry.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.3.1-3.14
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• 2023

Microvilli are outer membrane organelles that contain cross-linked filamentous actin. Unlike well-characterized epithelial microvilli, T-cell microvilli are dynamic similar to those of filopodia, which grow and shrink intermittently via the alternate actin-assembly and -disassembly. T-cell microvilli are specialized for sensing Ags on the surface of Ag-presenting cells (APCs). Thus, these finger-shaped microprotrusions contain many signaling-related proteins and can serve as a signaling platforms that induce intracellular signals. However, they are not limited to sensing external information but can provide sites for parts of the cell-body to tear away from the cell. Cells are known to produce many types of extracellular vesicles (EVs), such as exosomes, microvesicles, and membrane particles. T cells also produce EVs, but little is known about under what conditions T cells generate EVs and which types of EVs are released. We discovered that T cells produce few exosomes but release large amounsts of microvilli-derived particles during physical interaction with APCs. Although much is unanswered as to why T cells use the same organelles to sense Ags or to produce EVs, these events can significantly affect T cell fate, including clonal expansion and death. Since TCRs are localized at microvilli tips, this membrane event also raises a new question regarding long-standing paradigm in T cell biology; i.e., surface TCR downmodulation following T cell activation. Since T-cell microvilli particles carry T-cell message to their cognate partner, these particles are termed T-cell immunological synaptosomes (TISs). We discuss the potential physiological role of TISs and their application to immunotherapies.