Application of Dynamic and Static Light Scattering for Size and Shape Characterization of Small Extracellular Nanoparticles in Plasma and Ascites of Ovarian Cancer Patients

Abstract

In parallel to medical treatment of ovarian cancer, methods for the early detection of cancer tumors are being sought. In this contribution, the use of non-invasive static (SLS) and dynamic light scattering (DLS) for the characterization of extracellular nanoparticles (ENPs) in body fluids of advanced serous ovarian cancer (OC) and benign gynecological pathology (BP) patients is demonstrated and critically evaluated. Samples of plasma and ascites (OC patients) or plasma, peritoneal fluid, and peritoneal washing (BP patients) were analyzed. The hydrodynamic radius (Rh) and the radius of gyration (Rg) of ENPs were calculated from the angular dependency of LS intensity for two ENP subpopulations. Rh and Rg of the predominant ENP population of OC patients were in the range 20–30 nm (diameter 40–60 nm). In thawed samples, larger particles (Rh mostly above 100 nm) were detected as well. The shape parameter ρ of both particle populations was around 1, which is typical for spherical particles with mass concentrated on the rim, as in vesicles. The Rh and Rg of ENPs in BP patients were larger than in OC patients, with ρ ≈ 1.1–2, implying a more elongated/distorted shape. These results show that SLS and DLS are promising methods for the analysis of morphological features of ENPs and have the potential to discriminate between OC and BP patients. However, further development of the methodology is required.

On-treatment dynamics of circulating extracellular vesicles (EVs) in the first-line setting of patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC): the LEXOVE prospective study

“…An added advantage is that DLS is not time-consuming, not as technically challenging, and does not result in any sample loss, making it a valuable and complementary approach for the quanti cation of plasma EV protein levels and the detection of residual small size co-isolates, especially when dealing with scant and precious patients' plasma samples [38]. These data support the use of DLS as a valid technique for characterizing in vivo EVs with a low limit of detection from the plasma of patients with advanced NSCLC, con rming previous ndings from other solid tumors [39] [40]. In addition, we leveraged the combination of DLS with BA to improve sample characterization and further investigate EV protein content, demonstrating that this approach in NSCLC patients allowed a quantitative and high-throughput characterization of puri ed EVs even in cases of limited sample volume.…”

Exploring mitochondrial DNA copy number in circulating cell‐free DNA and extracellular vesicles across cardiovascular health status: A prospective case–control pilot study

“…57400, Norgen, Thorold, ON, Canada). EVs quantification and characterization have been conducted using Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS) (Zetasizer Nano‐S90, Malvern Panalytical, Malvern, UK) as previously described 48‐55 . For DLS analysis, 1000 μL of ultrapure water has been added to 5 μL of EVs extract and 1000 μL of the solution has been transferred in a polystyrene cuvette and equilibrated at 22°C.…”

“…previously described. [48][49][50][51][52][53][54][55] For DLS analysis, 1000 μL of ultrapure water has been added to 5 μL of EVs extract and 1000 μL of the solution has been transferred in a polystyrene cuvette and equilibrated at 22°C. Z-Average size, Polydispersity Index (PDI), Derived Count Rate (DCR), and Zeta potential (ZP) have been measured.…”

Autologous Platelet and Extracellular Vesicle-Rich Plasma as Therapeutic Fluid: A Review

“…The focus on characterization of EVs is in the size range up to a few hundred na-nometers, where scattering of visible light, shortly light scattering (LS), has proven to be a very powerful technique for analyzing both size and also topology of particles [ 105 , 106 , 107 , 108 , 109 , 110 , 111 , 112 ]. For routine analysis, dynamic light scattering (DLS) is generally employed, leading to a value of the hydrodynamic radius (R h ) of particles diffusing in a medium with a known viscosity.…”