Characterization of Blood-Derived Exosomes for Diagnostics Insights in Neurological Diseases

Abstract

Exosomes, nanosized extracellular vesicles, are emerging as potential non-invasive biomarkers for diagnosing neurological disorders. In this study, we explored the isolation and characterization of blood-derived exosomes to assess their diagnostic relevance. Blood samples were collected from two groups: a control group of individuals without neurological disorders and a patient group diagnosed with various neurological conditions. Plasma was extracted using differential centrifugation to remove cellular debris, apoptotic bodies, and larger vesicles. Exosomes were isolated from the plasma using a polymer-based precipitation method optimized with PEG-6000 to achieve high yield and purity. The isolated exosomes were then characterized using Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) to verify their morphology and methylene blue staining to confirm their extracellular vesicular nature. After staining, RNA was extracted from the exosomes using TRIzol, followed by cDNA synthesis to analyze the molecular profile. Gel electrophoresis was performed to assess the quality of the cDNA, and RT-PCR was conducted to detect biomarkers associated with neurological disorders. These molecular analyses provided insights into the differences between the control and diseased groups, highlighting potential biomarkers for disease diagnosis. The results of this study promise valuable insights into the potential properties of blood-derived exosomes in advancing non-invasive diagnostics for neurological diseases by contributing to early detection strategies and paving the way for improved patient care through innovative diagnostic tools.