Towards a human brain EV atlas: Characteristics of EVs from different brain regions, including small RNA and protein profiles (4/2023)

This illustration captures the release of extracellular vesicles (EVs) from various regions of the brain, resembling stars scattered across a starry night. These tiny, cell-derived vesicles are vital players in regulating both normal and pathological functions in the central nervous system (CNS). While scientists have successfully collected brain-derived EVs (bdEVs) from brain tissue, a comprehensive “bdEV Atlas” representing various brain regions is yet to be established. To bridge this knowledge gap, researchers separated EVs from eight different anatomical brain regions within a single individual and conducted in-depth characterizations, including particle count, size, and morphology, as well as analysis of their protein and RNA content.