The last decade has seen a sharp increase in the number of scientific publications describing physiological and pathological functions of extracellular vesicles (EVs), a collective term covering various subtypes of cell-released, membranous structures, called exosomes, microvesicles, microparticles, ectosomes, oncosomes, apoptotic bodies, and many other names. However, specific issues arise when working with these entities, whose size and amount often make them difficult to obtain as relatively pure preparations, and to characterize properly. The International Society for Extracellular Vesicles (ISEV) proposed Minimal Information for Studies of Extracellular Vesicles (“MISEV”) guidelines for the field in 2014. We now update these “MISEV2014” guidelines based on evolution of the collective knowledge in the last four years. An important point to consider is that ascribing a specific function to EVs in general, or to subtypes of EVs, requires reporting of specific information beyond mere description of function in a crude, potentially contaminated, and heterogeneous preparation. For example, claims that exosomes are endowed with exquisite and specific activities remain difficult to support experimentally, given our still limited knowledge of their specific molecular machineries of biogenesis and release, as compared with other biophysically similar EVs. The MISEV2018 guidelines include tables and outlines of suggested protocols and steps to follow to document specific EV-associated functional activities. Finally, a checklist is provided with summaries of key points.

In the past decade, extracellular vesicles (EVs) have been recognized as potent vehicles of intercellular communication, both in prokaryotes and eukaryotes. This is due to their capacity to transfer proteins, lipids and nucleic acids, thereby influencing various physiological and pathological functions of both recipient and parent cells. While intensive investigation has targeted the role of EVs in different pathological processes, for example, in cancer and autoimmune diseases, the EV-mediated maintenance of homeostasis and the regulation of physiological functions have remained less explored. Here, we provide a comprehensive overview of the current understanding of the physiological roles of EVs, which has been written by crowd-sourcing, drawing on the unique EV expertise of academia-based scientists, clinicians and industry based in 27 European countries, the United States and Australia. This review is intended to be of relevance to both researchers already working on EV biology and to newcomers who will encounter this universal cell biological system. Therefore, here we address the molecular contents and functions of EVs in various tissues and body fluids from cell systems to organs. We also review the physiological mechanisms of EVs in bacteria, lower eukaryotes and plants to highlight the functional uniformity of this emerging communication system.

Key Points• Neutrophilic granulocytes stimulated with opsonized particles produce microvesicles (MVs) that are able to impair bacterial growth.• Antibacterial effect correlates with number and size of aggregates between bacteria and MVs and depends on cytoskeletal reorganization of MVs.Cell-derived vesicles represent a recently discovered mechanism for intercellular communication. We investigated their potential role in interaction of microbes with host organisms. We provide evidence that different stimuli induced isolated neutrophilic granulocytes to release microvesicles with different biologic properties. Only opsonized particles initiated the formation of microvesicles that were able to impair bacterial growth. The antibacterial effect of neutrophil-derived microvesicles was independent of production of toxic oxygen metabolites and opsonization or engulfment of the microbes, but depended on ␤ 2 integrin function, continuous actin remodeling, and on the glucose supply. Neutrophil-derived microvesicles were detected in the serum of healthy donors, and their number was significantly increased in the serum of bacteremic patients. We propose a new extracellular mechanism to restrict bacterial growth and dissemination. IntroductionCell-derived vesicles (such as exosomes, ectosomes, microvesicles, shedding microvesicles, and microparticles) represent a recently discovered mechanism for cell-cell communication. [1][2][3] Exosomes are small (50-100 nm) vesicles released from multivesicular bodies. 4 They are involved in antigen presentation [5][6][7] and cell-tocell transfer of receptors 8 or RNA, 9,10 thereby influencing or reprogramming neighboring cells and often promoting tumorigenesis. 8,11 Exosomes also play a role in host defense against microorganisms: tracheobronchial epithelial cells produce exosome-like vesicles with antiviral activity, 12 and macrophage-derived exosomes are able to transfer pathogen-associated molecular patterns of opportunistic intracellular pathogens to uninfected cells. 13 Larger vesicles, called microvesicles (MVs) or microparticles express tissue factor on their surface that is capable of initiating coagulation. 14 Both exosomes and MVs of different cellular origin were detected in various body fluids and selective enrichment was related to specific diseases. [15][16][17][18][19] Neutrophilic granulocytes (PMNs) play a critical role in innate immune mechanisms by engulfing, killing, and degrading various microorganisms. PMNs produce larger vesicles (named by the authors alternatively as ectosomes, microparticles, or MVs) after incubation with various stimuli. [19][20][21][22] Microparticles obtained from PMNs stimulated by chemotactic agents or phorbol esters activated cytokine (IL-6) secretion from endothelial cells 23 and platelets, 24 thereby contributing to the procoagulant effect of leukocytederived microparticles. 25 Chemotactic peptide-induced PMNectosomes increase the secretion of the anti-inflammatory cytokine transforming growth factor ␤ 26 and interfere with the maturatio...

The aim of the present study was to investigate the role of tyrosine phosphorylation pathways in fMLP-induced exocytosis of the different secretory compartments (primary and secondary granules, as well as secretory vesicles) of neutrophils. Genistein, a broad specificity tyrosine kinase inhibitor, blocked the exocytosis of primary and secondary granules, but had only a marginal effect on the release of secretory vesicles. Genistein also inhibited the phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) and p38 mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPK), raising the possibility that inhibition of ERK and/or p38 MAPK might be responsible for the effect of the drug on the degranulation response. Indeed, SB203580, an inhibitor of p38 MAPK, decreased the release of primary and secondary granules, but not that of secretory vesicles. However, blocking the ERK pathway with PD98059 had no effect on any of the exocytic responses tested. PP1, an inhibitor of Src family kinases, also attenuated the release of primary and secondary granules, and neutrophils from mice deficient in the Src family kinases Hck, Fgr, and Lyn were also defective in secondary granule release. Furthermore, activation of p38 MAPK was blocked by both PP1 and the hck−/−fgr−/−lyn−/− mutation. Taken together, our data indicate that fMLP-induced degranulation of primary and secondary granules of neutrophils is mediated by p38 MAPK activated via Src family tyrosine kinases. Although piceatannol, a reportedly selective inhibitor of Syk, also prevented degranulation and activation of p38 MAPK, no fMLP-induced phosphorylation of Syk could be observed, raising doubts about the specificity of the inhibitor.

NADPH oxidase of phagocytes plays a crucial role in host defense by producing reactive oxygen species (ROS) that are intended to kill invading microbes. Many other cells produce ROS for signaling purposes. The respiratory burst oxidase in human neutrophils is the main but not exclusive subject of this review, because it is archetypical and has been studied most extensively. The activity of this enzyme must be controlled in phagocytes to prevent collateral damage, and in non-phagocytic cells to perform its signaling role. With many stimuli, NADPH oxidase activity is transient. Various forms of evidence indicate that sustained NADPH oxidase activity requires continuous renewal of the enzyme complex, without which rapid deactivation occurs. This review considers mechanisms that have been proposed to terminate the phagocyte respiratory burst. Changes in the phosphorylation state of p47(phox) and in the species of nucleotide bound to Rac seem to be the dominant factors in deactivation.

The classical model of bacterial killing by phagocytic cells has been recently challenged by questioning the toxic effect of oxygen products and attributing the fundamental role to K ؉ ions in releasing antimicrobial proteins within the phagosome. In the present study we followed O 2 ⅐؊ production, changes of membrane

AimTo carry out a systematic study on the effect of different storage conditions on the number as well as the physical and functional properties of antibacterial extracellular vesicles (EVs) derived from human neutrophilic granulocytes.MethodsProduction of EVs with antibacterial properties was initiated by opsonized Zymosan A particles. The number of released fluorescent EVs was determined by flow cytometry following careful calibration. Physical properties and size of EVs were investigated by flow cytometry, dynamic light scattering and electron microscopy. Functional properties of EVs were tested by bacterial survival assay.ResultsStorage at +20°C or +4°C resulted in a significant decrease of EV number and antibacterial effect after 1 day. Storage at −20°C did not influence the EV number up to 28 days, but induced a shift in EV size and almost complete loss of antibacterial function by 28 days. Storage at −80°C had no significant effect either on EV number or size and allowed partial preservation of the antibacterial function up to 28 days. Snap-freezing did not improve the results, whereas the widely used cryoprotectants induced EV lysis.ConclusionStorage significantly alters both the physical and functional properties of EVs even if the number of EVs stays constant. If storage is needed, EVs should be kept at −80°C, preferably not longer than 7 days. For functional tests, freshly prepared EVs are recommended.

Efficient mechanisms of H+ ion extrusion are crucial for normal NADPH oxidase function. However, whether the NADPH oxidase—in analogy with mitochondrial cytochromes—has an inherent H+ channel activity remains uncertain: electrophysiological studies did not find altered H+ currents in cells from patients with chronic granulomatous disease (CGD), challenging earlier reports in intact cells. In this study, we describe the presence of two different types of H+ currents in human eosinophils. The “classical” H+ current had properties similar to previously described H+ conductances and was present in CGD cells. In contrast, the “novel” type of H+ current had not been described previously and displayed unique properties: (a) it was absent in cells from gp91- or p47-deficient CGD patients; (b) it was only observed under experimental conditions that allowed NADPH oxidase activation; (c) because of its low threshold of voltage activation, it allowed proton influx and cytosolic acidification; (d) it activated faster and deactivated with slower and distinct kinetics than the classical H+ currents; and (e) it was ∼20-fold more sensitive to Zn2+ and was blocked by the histidine-reactive agent, diethylpyrocarbonate (DEPC). In summary, our results demonstrate that the NADPH oxidase or a closely associated protein provides a novel type of H+ conductance during phagocyte activation. The unique properties of this conductance suggest that its physiological function is not restricted to H+ extrusion and repolarization, but might include depolarization, pH-dependent signal termination, and determination of the phagosomal pH set point.