A novel affinity-based method for the isolation of highly purified extracellular vesicles

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) such as exosomes and microvesicles serve as messengers of intercellular network, allowing exchange of cellular components between cells. EVs carry lipids, proteins, and RNAs derived from their producing cells, and have potential as biomarkers specific to cell types and even cellular states. However, conventional methods (such as ultracentrifugation or polymeric precipitation) for isolating EVs have disadvantages regarding purity and feasibility. Here, we have developed a novel method for EV purification by using Tim4 protein, which specifically binds the phosphatidylserine displayed on the surface of EVs. Because the binding is Ca(2+)-dependent, intact EVs can be easily released from Tim4 by adding Ca(2+) chelators. Tim4 purification, which we have applied to cell conditioned media and biofluids, is capable of yielding EVs of a higher purity than those obtained using conventional methods. The lower contamination found in Tim4-purified EV preparations allows more EV-specific proteins to be detected by mass spectrometry, enabling better characterization and quantification of different EV populations’ proteomes. Tim4 protein can also be used as a powerful tool for quantification of EVs in both ELISA and flow cytometry formats. Thus, the affinity of Tim4 for EVs will find abundant applications in EV studies.