Types Of Membrane Vesicles Research Articles

Analysis of lipid composition of cell-bound membrane vesicles (CBMVs) derived from endothelial cells

Cell-bound membrane vesicles (CBMVs), a novel type of membrane vesicles, have been identified through a series of characterization tools. However, the lipid composition of CBMVs has not yet been characterized. This study focuses on the differences in lipid composition between CBMVs and cell membranes. In order to determine the lipid composition of CBMVs and cell membranes of Human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) and find out differential metabolites, this study was carried out by isolating CBMVs lipids and characterizing them using high-performance liquid chromatography tandem secondary mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). The results showed the presence of 213 up-regulated and 726 down-regulated lipids in CBMVs compared to cell membranes which produced CBMVs. There are lipids expressed in CBMVs and not in cell membranes: DGDG 18:0_8:0, DGDG O-8:0_16:1, DGDG O-26:7_26:7, DGDG O-16:3_26:7, TG 15:4_21:5_22:5; 4O, PC 49:11, PG 19:5_38:10, PI 60:14, PI 44:9, PI 25:2, PI 43:5, PI 50:10, PS 55:10. DGDG (digalactosyl diglyceride), MGDG (monogalactosyl diglyceride) belongs to galactosyl diglyceride, promotes fat catabolism, which also has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects, and unsaturated diacylglycerols are a class of antioxidant compounds, which enables CBMVs to have a therapeutic potential.

Breed-Related Differential microRNA Expression and Analysis of Colostrum and Mature Milk Exosomes in Bamei and Landrace Pigs.

Breast milk, an indispensable source of immunological and nutrient components, is essential for the growth and development of newborn mammals. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are present in various tissues and body fluids and are selectively packaged inside exosomes, a type of membrane vesicle. Milk exosomes have potential regulatory effects on the growth, development, and immunity of newborn piglets. To explore the differences in milk exosomes related to the breed and milk type, we isolated exosomes from colostrum and mature milk from domestic Bamei pigs and foreign Landrace pigs by using density gradient centrifugation and then characterized them by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and nanoparticle tracking analysis (NTA). Furthermore, the profiles and functions of miRNAs in the two types of pig milk exosomes were investigated using miRNA-seq and bioinformatics analysis. We identified a total of 1081 known and 2311 novel miRNAs in pig milk exosomes from Bamei and Landrace pigs. These differentially expressed miRNAs (DE-miRNAs) are closely associated with processes such as cell signaling, cell physiology, and immune system development. Functional enrichment analysis showed that DE-miRNA target genes were significantly enriched in endocytosis, the T cell receptor signaling pathway, and the Th17 cell differentiation signaling pathway. The exosomal miRNAs in both the colostrum and mature milk of the two pig species showed significant differences. Based on related signaling pathways, we found that the colostrum of local pig breeds contained more immune-system-development-related miRNAs. This study provides new insights into the possible function of milk exosomal miRNAs in the development of the piglet immune system.

Nanostructure enabled extracellular vesicles separation and detection

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) have recently attracted significant research attention owing to their important biological functions, including cell-to-cell communication. EVs are a type of membrane vesicles that are secreted into the extracellular space by most types of cells. Several biological biomolecules found in EVs, such as proteins, microRNA, and DNA, are closely related to the pathogenesis of human malignancies, making EVs valuable biomarkers for disease diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis. Therefore, EV separation and detection are prerequisites for providing important information for clinical research. Conventional separation methods suffer from low levels of purity, as well as the need for cumbersome and prolonged operations. Moreover, detection methods require trained operators and present challenges such as high operational expenses and low sensitivity and specificity. In the past decade, platforms for EV separation and detection based on nanostructures have emerged. This article reviews recent advances in nanostructure-based EV separation and detection techniques. First, nanostructures based on membranes, nanowires, nanoscale deterministic lateral displacement, and surface modification are presented. Second, high-throughput separation of EVs based on nanostructures combined with acoustic and electric fields is described. Third, techniques combining nanostructures with immunofluorescence, surface plasmon resonance, surface-enhanced Raman scattering, electrochemical detection, or piezoelectric sensors for high-precision EV analysis are summarized. Finally, the potential of nanostructures to detect individual EVs is explored, with the aim of providing insights into the further development of nanostructure-based EV separation and detection techniques.

T Cell Immunological Synaptosomes: Definition and Isolation.

In addition to microvilli's role as structural scaffold for TCR clustering, we recently discovered a novel function as message senders. We found that microvilli are separated from the T cell body shortly upon TCR stimulation and vesiculated to form T cell microvilli particles (TMPs), a new type of membrane vesicles. TMPs and synaptic ectosomes, which bud from the synaptic cleft, constitute "T cell immunological synaptosomes (TISs)" and act as conveyors of T cell messages or traits to cognate antigen-presenting cells. In practice, it is almost impossible to distinguish between TMPs and synaptic ectosomes. Here, we describe a newly developed protocol to isolate TISs from activated T cells using antibody-immobilized agarose beads and density gradient ultracentrifugation. We further describe the methods for TIS quantification with flow cytometry and to evaluate TIS efficacy on dendritic cells.

MiR-29a in Exosomes from Bone Marrow Mesenchymal Stem Cells Inhibit Fibrosis during Endometrial Repair of Intrauterine Adhesion.

Background and ObjectivesBone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) is an ideal source of stem cells in the treatment of intrauterine adhesion. Exosomes are a type of membrane vesicle and the diameter is 30∼100 nm. Exosomes can take their contents into the target cells, releasing and exerting their functions. In this study, we intend to study the role of human BMSC-derived exosomes (BMSC-Exo) in promoting endometrial damage repair in the treatment of IUA.MethodsWe used the magnetic bead affinity method to extract BMSC-Exo and analyzed its biological character. Then we co-cultured the BMSCs-Exo with endometrial cells to detect its effect. We injected BMSCs-Exo into the IUA mouse model. We over-expressed miR-29a in BMSCs-Exo by transient transfection, then used RT-PCR to analyze the expression of the related genes.ResultsBMSCs-Exo expressed exosome-specific proteins CD9, CD63, and CD81. BMSCs-Exo could bring the contents into the target cells. BMSCs-Exo can promote endometrial repair in vitro or in vivo. BMSCs-Exo overexpressing miR-29a can reduce αSMA, Collagen I, SMAD2, and SMAD3.ConclusionsIn this study, we successfully isolated BMSCs-Exo and proved its character and biological activity. BMSCs-Exo can promote cell proliferation and cell migration in vitro and can repair damaged endometrium in the IUA model. The presence of miR-29a in BMSCs-Exo may be an important factor in its resistance to fibrosis during endometrial repair of IUA. This study provides new ideas for the treatment of patients with IUA and has important clinical research significance.

Abstract P6-10-29: Circular RNAs in exosomes derived from breast cancer: Promising biomarkers for diagnosis and prognosis of triple negative breast cancer (TNBC)

Abstract Background: With the recent development of transcriptome sequencing technology, circular RNAs (circRNAs) have attracted extensive attention from researchers. Exosomes are usually recognized as a type of membrane vesicles containing RNA (mRNA, miRNA, circRNAs and other non-coding RNAs), proteins and lipids, and may be used as promising biomarkers for disease diagnosis. Unfortunately, circRNAs still remains many action mechanisms of circRNAs cannot be understood completely in the process of tumor development. The study aims to explore novel circRNAs and their potential functions in the treatment and progonsis of TNBC.Materials & methods: A combinative strategy of RNA-sequencing (RNA-seq) technique, RT-qPCR and bioinformatic analysis was employed to unearth the potential mechanism of differential circRNAs in serum-exosomes (n=20) and tissues (n=20) from TNBC patients.Results: Combination of the two datasets from differential circRNAs in serum-exosomes and tissues, the result showed that three circRNAs (has-circRNA-LPXN, has-circRNA-NUFIP2 and has-circRNA-HSDL2) were significantly differentially-expressed in both datasets. RT-qPCR used to verify these three circRNAs in cells and serum-exosomes also found has-circRNA-LPXN was down-regulated and has-circRNA-HSDL2 was up-regulated, which was valuable for breast cancer diagnosis by analyzing these circRNAs in serum-exosomes from BCa patients compared with healthy people. Conclusion: The expression levels of has-circRNA-LPXN and has-circRNA-HSDL2 were found significantly different both in serum-exosomes and tissues of TNBC and these circRNAs might function as competing endogenous RNAs and play vital roles in the development of TNBC. More importantly, we constructed two circRNAs-miRNAs networks and provided new insight into prognosis and therapy of TNBC from circRNAs in the serum-exosomes. Citation Format: Sujin Yang, Jinhai Tang. Circular RNAs in exosomes derived from breast cancer: Promising biomarkers for diagnosis and prognosis of triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 2019 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium; 2019 Dec 10-14; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2020;80(4 Suppl):Abstract nr P6-10-29.

Modulation of gene transcription and epigenetics of colon carcinoma cells by bacterial membrane vesicles

Interactions between bacteria and colon cancer cells influence the transcription of the host cell. Yet is it undetermined whether the bacteria itself or the communication between the host and bacteria is responsible for the genomic changes in the eukaryotic cell. Now, we have investigated the genomic and epigenetic consequences of co-culturing colorectal carcinoma cells with membrane vesicles from pathogenic bacteria Vibrio cholerae and non-pathogenic commensal bacteria Escherichia coli. Our study reveals that membrane vesicles from pathogenic and commensal bacteria have a global impact on the gene expression of colon-carcinoma cells. The changes in gene expression correlate positively with both epigenetic changes and chromatin accessibility of promoters at transcription start sites of genes induced by both types of membrane vesicles. Moreover, we have demonstrated that membrane vesicles obtained only from V. cholerae induced the expression of genes associated with epithelial cell differentiation. Altogether, our study suggests that the observed genomic changes in host cells might be due to specific components of membrane vesicles and do not require communication by direct contact with the bacteria.

Differential expression of CD42b and CD9 proteins in platelets and extracellular membrane vesicles during platelet-concentrate storage

Platelet concentrate is used to restore and maintain hemostasis in patients with a reduced number or activity of platelets. Platelet concentrate changes its properties when stored, which leads to a weakening of the therapeutic effect, as well as the occurrence of transfusion side effects. One of the processes that alter platelet concentrates during storage is the secretion of several types of membrane vesicles. Despite the fact that platelet-derived membrane vesicles affect homeostasis and transmit signals of intercellular communication, mechanisms of their formation, features of regulatory activity and molecular composition are still poorly understood. In this paper, the results of analysis of CD42b and CD9 membrane proteins expression in platelets and platelet-derived membrane vesicles during platelet-concentrate storage are presented. Populations of membrane vesicles of different sizes were isolated from the platelet concentrates and characterized. Aggregation and morphological alteration of platelets are observed during storage; the protein composition of platelets, as well as membrane vesicles, changes, and there is a significant increase in the levels of CD42b and CD9 proteins in fractions of membrane vesicles. The results obtained indicate that platelet concentrates contain different populations of membrane vesicles, the molecular composition of which varies during storage.

Human Platelet Exosome Proteomics Leads to the Identification of WNT Positive Exosomes Which Impact Canonical WNT Signalling in Target Cells

Upon activation platelets release a myriad of soluble proteins as well as two distinct membrane vesicle populations- exosomes and microparticles (MPs) into the external milieu [1]. Although there have been many studies characterising platelet MPs and their increased circulating numbers in disease [2, 3], platelet exosomal vesicles have been characterised to date only by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) [4]. Here, we characterize the proteome of human platelet exosomes and reveal that a population of these vesicles carry active WNT glycoproteins on their surface that can modulate WNT signalling activity in both endothelial and monocytic cells.To establish the exosomal proteome of human platelets we compared platelet exosomes isolated from three healthy volunteers by (i) differential ultracentrifugation (DC) and (ii) ExoQuickTM (ExoQ) precipitation. Assessment of both exosomal populations was performed using nanoparticle tracking analysis (NTA), TEM, western blot and proteomics analysis (in triplicate) using a high performance Q Exactive Hybrid Quadrupole-Orbitrap mass spectrometer coupled with quantitative computational analysis using MaxQuant software. We concluded that DC was the superior isolation method for platelet exosomes, for example, our NTA revealed a 2-fold greater enrichment (6x108 /ml) of platelet exosomes following isolation by DC in comparison to ExoQ. Proteomic analysis of platelet exosomes identified 704 proteins across 18 MS runs, 119 of which were present in all 18 runs and represented the core human platelet exosomal proteome. Using western blotting and immunogold TEM, we confirmed the presence of numerous well-established exosomal membrane markers (CD63, CD9, and HSP70) in our proteome, as well as several platelet-specific proteins including GPIb, as previously described [4], and GPV.We also detected several of the 19 human WNT glycoproteins to be specifically secreted in the exosomal fraction upon platelet activation and verified their surface expression on platelet-derived exosomes using immunogold TEM. As we have previously demonstrated, platelets themselves can be modulated directly by WNT glycoproteins [5], hence here, we assessed the paracrine impact of these WNT-positive platelet exosomes on intracellular signalling events in monocytes and endothelial cells, both cell types closely linked to the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. Using fluorescence microscopy, we found that these platelet exosomes were readily endocytosed by both endothelial (EAHY296) and monocytic (THP-1) cell lines where they specifically modulated beta-catenin nuclear expression and canonical WNT signalling.In conclusion our proteomic analysis has revealed that platelet exosomes are new players in the regulation of WNT signalling in both endothelial and monocytic cells.1. Coppinger, J.A., et al., Characterization of the proteins released from activated platelets leads to localization of novel platelet proteins in human atherosclerotic lesions. Blood, 2004. 103(6): p. 2096-104.2. Knijff-Dutmer, E.A., et al., Elevated levels of platelet microparticles are associated with disease activity in rheumatoid arthritis. Arthritis Rheum, 2002. 46(6): p. 1498-503.3. van der Zee, P.M., et al., P-selectin- and CD63-exposing platelet microparticles reflect platelet activation in peripheral arterial disease and myocardial infarction. Clin Chem, 2006. 52(4): p. 657-64.4. Heijnen, H.F., et al., Activated platelets release two types of membrane vesicles: microvesicles by surface shedding and exosomes derived from exocytosis of multivesicular bodies and alpha-granules. Blood, 1999. 94(11): p. 3791-9.5. Steele, B.M., et al., Canonical Wnt signaling negatively regulates platelet function. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A, 2009. 106(47): p. 19836-41. DisclosuresNo relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

Quantification of Nanosized Extracellular Membrane Vesicles with Scanning Ion Occlusion Sensing

Cells secrete different types of membrane vesicles (MVs), which may act as important entities in normal human physiology and in various pathological processes. The established methods for quantification of MVs require purification or preanalytical handling of samples with labeling moieties. The authors' aim was to develop a method for high-throughput, labeling-free quantification of nonpurified MVs. Scanning ion occlusion sensing technology, which relies on the detection of particles upon their movement through a nanopore, was investigated for the ability to quantify nanosized MVs (<400 nm) in bodily fluids and cell culture supernatants. Scanning ion occlusion sensing allowed for rapid and easy measurement of the concentration of MVs in all biological fluids tested. Scanning ion occlusion sensing technology enables the quantification of MVs in biological samples without the requirement of MV isolation and/or labeling. This offers a highly valuable addition to the currently used repertoire of MV quantification methods.

Lactation-Related MicroRNA Expression Profiles of Porcine Breast Milk Exosomes

Breast milk is the primary source of nutrition for newborns, and is rich in immunological components. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are present in various body fluids and are selectively packaged inside the exosomes, a type of membrane vesicles, secreted by most cell types. These exosomal miRNAs could be actively delivered into recipient cells, and could regulate target gene expression and recipient cell function. Here, we analyzed the lactation-related miRNA expression profiles in porcine milk exosomes across the entire lactation period (newborn to 28 days after birth) by a deep sequencing. We found that immune-related miRNAs are present and enriched in breast milk exosomes (p<10−16, χ 2 test) and are generally resistant to relatively harsh conditions. Notably, these exosomal miRNAs are present in higher numbers in the colostrums than in mature milk. It was higher in the serum of colostrum-only fed piglets compared with the mature milk-only fed piglets. These immune-related miRNA-loaded exosomes in breast milk may be transferred into the infant body via the digestive tract. These observations are a prelude to in-depth investigations of the essential roles of breast milk in the development of the infant’s immune system.

Microparticles: Modulators and biomarkers of liver disease

Division of Molecular and Translational Medicine,Dept. of Medicine I, Johannes Gutenberg University, Mainz, GermanyEmerging role of microparticlesMicroparticles (MP) have gained increasing attention as biomark-ers for various diseases. First described as platelet dust, MP wereregarded as unspecific debris [1]. However, it has become appar-ent that cell derived MP or ectosomes represent a novel route ofhorizontal communication between cells. MP are between 100–1000 nm in size and generated through cell membrane shedding(ectocytosis), a process that can be triggered by the activation ofthe complement C5b-9 complex, as shown for platelet derivedMP, or by inhibition of flippase activitythroughCa

COPI-mediated membrane trafficking is required for cytokinesis inDrosophilamale meiotic divisions

The coatomer protein complex, COPI, mediates retrograde vesicle transport from the Golgi apparatus to the ER. Here, we investigated the meiotic phenotype of Drosophila melanogaster spermatocytes expressing dsRNA of 52 genes encoding membrane-trafficking-related factors. We identified COPI as an essential factor for male meiosis. In Drosophila male meiotic divisions, COPI is localized in the ER-Golgi intermediate compartment of tER-Golgi units scattered throughout the spermatocyte cytoplasm. Prior to chromosome segregation, the vesicles assemble at the spindle pole periphery through a poleward movement, mediated by minus-end motor dynein along astral microtubules. At the end of each meiotic division, COPI-containing vesicles are equally partitioned between two daughter cells. Our present data strongly suggest that spermatocytes possess a regulatory mechanism for equal inheritance of several types of membrane vesicles. Using testis-specific knockdown of COPI subunits or the small GTPase Arf or mutations of the γCOP gene, we examined the role of COPI in male meiosis. COPI depletion resulted in the failure of cytokinesis, through disrupted accumulation of essential proteins and lipid components at the cleavage furrow region. Furthermore, it caused a reduction in the number of overlapping central spindle microtubules, which are essential for cytokinesis. Drosophila spermatocytes construct ER-based intracellular structures associated with astral and spindle microtubules. COPI depletion resulted in severe disruption of these ER-based structures. Thus, we propose that COPI plays an important role in Drosophila male meiosis, not only through vesicle transport to the cleavage furrow region, but also through the formation of ER-based structures.

Diverse subpopulations of vesicles secreted by different intracellular mechanisms are present in exosome preparations obtained by differential ultracentrifugation

Exosomes are extracellular vesicles of 50 to 100 nm in diameter, released by many cell types. Exosomes are formed inside the cell in intracellular endosomal compartments and are secreted upon fusion of these compartments with the plasma membrane. Cells also secrete other types of membrane vesicles, for instance, by outward budding from the plasma membrane, and although some of them clearly differ from exosomes by their structural features (larger size), others are possibly more difficult to separate. Here, using Rab27a inhibition to modulate exosome secretion, we show the existence of at least 2 distinct populations of vesicles after purification by classical ultracentrifugation from mouse tumor cell conditioned medium. Rab27a inhibition lead to decreased vesicular secretion of some conventional markers of exosomes (CD63, Tsg101, Alix and Hsc70) but did not affect secretion of others (CD9 and Mfge8). By electron microscopy, CD9 was observed on vesicles of various sizes, ranging from 30 nm to more than 150 nm in diameter. Flotation onto sucrose gradients showed different proportions of CD63, CD9 and Mfge8 not only in fractions of densities classically described for exosomes (around 1.15 g/ml) but also in fractions of densities over 1.20 g/ml, indicating the presence of heterogenous vesicle populations. CD9 and Mfge8 were also found in large vesicles pelleted at low speed and can thus not be considered as specific components of endosome-derived vesicles. We propose that the most commonly used protocols for exosome preparations co-purify vesicles from endosomal and other origins, possibly the plasma membrane. Future work will be required to improve techniques for accurate purification and characterization of the different populations of extracellular vesicles.To access the supplementary material to this article: Figures S1-S5, please see Supplementary files under Article Tools online.

Active Uptake of Dendritic Cell-Derived Exovesicles by Epithelial Cells Induces the Release of Inflammatory Mediators through a TNF-α-Mediated Pathway

Dendritic cells (DCs) can release hundreds of membrane vesicles, called exovesicles, which are able to activate resting DCs and distribute antigen. Here, we examined the role of mature DC-derived exovesicles in innate and adaptive immunity, in particular their capacity to activate epithelial cells. Our analysis of exovesicle contents showed that exovesicles contain major histocompatibility complex-II, CD40, and CD83 molecules in addition to tumor necrosis factor (TNF) receptors, TNFRI and TNFRII, and are important carriers of TNF-alpha. These exovesicles are rapidly internalized by epithelial cells, inducing the release of cytokines and chemokines, but do not transfer an alloantigen-presenting capacity to epithelial cells. Part of this activation appears to involve the TNF-alpha-mediated pathway, highlighting the key role of DC-derived exovesicles, not only in adaptive immunity, but also in innate immunity by triggering innate immune responses and activating neighboring epithelial cells to release cytokines and chemokines, thereby amplifying the magnitude of the innate immune response.

Exvivo Experiments of Human Ovarian Cancer Ascites-Derived Exosomes Presented by Dendritic Cells Derived from Umbilical Cord Blood for Immunotherapy Treatment

Exosomes, a type of membrane vesicles, released from tumor cells have been shown to be capable of transferring tumor antigens to dendritic cells and activating specific cytotoxic T-lymphocytes. Recent work has demonstrated the presence of high numbers of exosomes in malignant effusions. Umbilical cord blood (UCB) is a rich source of hematopoietic stem cells and from which a significant number of dendritic cells can be produced. We hypothesized that the exosomes released from metastatic ovarian carcinoma were able to present tumor specific antigen to dendritic cells derived from unrelated umbilical cord blood, then could stimulate resting T cells to differentiate and induce effective cytotoxicity. Exosomes were isolated by ultracentrifugation of malignant ascites from ovarian cancer patients (n = 10). Purified exosomes were further characterized by Western blot analyses and immunoelectronic microscopy. Dendritic cells were collected from unrelated umbilical cord blood and cultured in the presence of GM-CSF, IL-4 and TNF-α. Resting T cells were mixed with dentritic cells previously primed with exosomes and the cytotoxicity were measured by MTT method. T cells were activated by DCs presented with exosomes. 1) the exosomes isolated from the ascites were membrane vesicles of about 30-90nm in diameter; 2) the exosomes expressed MHC class I molecules, HSP70, HSP90, Her2/Neu, and Mart1; and 3)umbilical cord blood-derived DCs previously exosome-primed stimulated resting T cells to differentiate and produce effective cytotoxicity. These results suggested that tumor-specific antigens present on exosomes can be presented by DCs derived from unrelated umbilical cord blood to induce tumor specific cytotoxicity and this may represent as a novel immunotherapy for ovarian cancer.

In vitro Formation of a Novel Type of Membrane Vesicles Containing Dpm1p: Putative Transport Vesicles for Lipid Droplets in Budding Yeast

A novel type of membrane vesicles was formed in vitro from microsomes of Saccharomyces cerevisiae, which carries Dpm1p, an enzyme involved in dolichol-sugar synthesis, but not a typical secretory cargo. While COPII vesicles formed in vitro were sedimentable by centrifugation at 200,000g(max) for 15 min, the novel vesicles were not. However, they were sedimented by additional centrifugation at the same speed for 1 h. Immunoelectron microscopy showed that the Dpm1p-containing vesicles had small vesicular/saccular structures of around 40-50 nm in diameter. The addition of glycerol-3-phosphate and oleoyl-CoA, substrates for lipid biosynthesis, significantly enhanced the efficiency of vesicle budding in an ATP-dependent fashion. Dpm1p was localized to lipid droplets as well as endoplasmic reticulum. Fluorescence microscopy further showed that Dpm1p-GFP was present in restricted subregions in isolated lipid droplets. The possibility that the vesicles were intermediates from the endoplasmic reticulum to lipid droplets was examined, and their possible role is discussed.

Proteomic analysis of platelet alpha-granules using mass spectrometry.

Platelets have three major types of secretory organelles: lysosomes, dense granules, and alpha-granules. alpha-Granules contain several adhesive proteins involved in hemostasis, as well as glycoproteins involved in inflammation, wound healing, and cell-matrix interactions. This article represents the first effort to define the platelet alpha-granule proteome using mass spectrometry (MS). We prepared a subcellular fraction enriched in intact alpha-granules from human platelets using sucrose gradient ultracentrifugation. alpha-Granule proteins were separated and identified using sodium dodecylsulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and liquid chromatography-tandem MS. In the sucrose fraction enriched in alpha-granules, we identified 284 non-redundant proteins, 44 of which appear to be new alpha-granule proteins, on the basis of a literature review. Immunoelectron microscopy confirmed the presence of Scamp2, APLP2, ESAM and LAMA5 in platelet alpha-granules for the first time. We identified 65% of the same proteins that were detected in the platelet releasate (J. A. Coppinger et al. [Blood 2004;103: 2096-104]) as well as additional soluble and membrane proteins. Our method provides a suitable tool for analyzing the granule proteome of patients with storage pool deficiencies.

Exovesicles from Human Activated Dendritic Cells Fuse with Resting Dendritic Cells, Allowing Them to Present Alloantigens

Dendritic cells (DCs) can release microvesicles, but the latter's numbers, size, and fate are unclear. Fluorescently labeled DCs were visualized by laser-scanning microscopy. Using a Surpass algorithm, we were able to identify and quantify per cell several hundred microvesicles released from the surface of stimulated DCs. We show that most of these microvesicles are not of endocytic origin but result from budding of the plasma membrane, hence their name, exovesicle. Using a double vital staining, we show that exovesicles isolated from activated DCs can fuse with the membrane of resting DCs, thereby allowing them to present alloantigens to lymphocytes. We concluded that, within a few hours from their release, exovesicles may amplify local or distant adaptive immunological response.

Acetobacter aceti Possesses a Proton Motive Force-Dependent Efflux System for Acetic Acid

Acetic acid bacteria are obligate aerobes able to oxidize ethanol, sugar alcohols, and sugars into their corresponding acids. Among them, Acetobacter and Gluconacetobacter species have very high ethanol oxidation capacity, leading to accumulation of vast amounts of acetic acid outside the cell. Since these bacteria are able to grow in media with high concentrations of acetic acid, they must possess a specific mechanism such as an efflux pump by which they can resist the toxic effects of acetic acid. In this study, the efflux pump of Acetobacter aceti IFO 3283 was examined using intact cells and membrane vesicles. The accumulation of acetic acid/acetate in intact cells was increased by the addition of a proton uncoupler and/or cyanide, suggesting the presence of an energy-dependent efflux system. To confirm this, right-side-out and inside-out membrane vesicles were prepared from A. aceti IFO 3283, and the accumulation of acetic acid/acetate in the vesicles was examined. Upon the addition of a respiratory substrate, the accumulation of acetic acid/acetate in the right-side-out vesicles was largely decreased, while its accumulation was very much increased in the inside-out vesicles. These respiration-dependent phenomena observed in both types of membrane vesicles were all sensitive to a proton uncoupler. Acetic acid/acetate uptake in the inside-out membrane vesicles was dependent not on ATP but on the proton motive force. Furthermore, uptake was shown to be rather specific for acetic acid and to be pH dependent, because higher uptake was observed at lower pH. Thus, A. aceti IFO 3283 possesses a proton motive force-dependent efflux pump for acetic acid.