Raman spectroscopy combined with comprehensive gas chromatography for label-free characterization of plasma-derived extracellular vesicle subpopulations

Abstract

Raman spectroscopy together with comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography–time-of-flight mass spectrometry (GCxGC–TOFMS) was employed to characterize exomere- (<50 nm) and exosome-sized (50–80 nm) EVs isolated from human plasma by the novel on-line immunoaffinity chromatography – asymmetric flow field-flow fractionation method. CD9+, CD63+, and CD81+ EVs were selected to represent general EV subpopulations secreted into plasma, while CD61+ EVs represented the specific EV subset derived from platelets. Raman spectroscopy could distinguish EVs from non-EV particles, including apolipoprotein B-100-containing lipoproteins, signifying its potential in EV purity assessment. Moreover, platelet-derived (CD61+) EVs of both exomere and exosome sizes were discriminated from other EV subpopulations due to different biochemical compositions. Further investigations demonstrated composition differences between exomere- and exosome-sized EVs, confirming the applicability of Raman spectroscopy in distinguishing EVs, not only from different origins but also sizes. In addition, fatty acids that act as building blocks for lipids and membranes in EVs were studied by GCxGC—TOF-MS. The results achieved highlighted differences in EV fatty acid compositions in both esterified (membrane lipids) and non-esterified (free fatty acids) fractions, indicating possible differences in membrane structures, biological functions, and roles in cell-to-cell communications of EV subpopulations.