Neurodegenerative disease is a term for a range of conditions which include Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s and prion disease and frontotemporal lobar degeneration. These diseases have distinct clinical manifestations and molecular pathology however share common features such as aggregation and spread of disease specific proteins and oxidative stress.
We are unable to diagnose these diseases in a timely manner or provide patients with disease modifying therapies which could cure or even slow disease progression. Extracellular vesicles (EVs) have emerged as mediators of intercellular communication due to their ability to transfer lipids, proteins and RNA between cells and tissues. They hold potential as targets for therapy and additionally are a source of disease and tissue specific biomarkers.
This presentation will cover our recent developments in isolating and studying EVs from a variety of sources and neurodegenerative conditions. Our results relating to the composition (lipid, protein and metal) and function of EVs will discussed. Finally, the challenges in isolating and studying EVs will be outlined.