2. EXTRACELLULARVESICLES–
SMALLINSIZE,BIGINACTION
Eukaryotic and prokaryotic cells produce minute (40-1000
nm) membrane vesicles that are released into the environ-
ment. These extracellular vesicles (EVs), including exosomes
and microvesicles, contain a multi-molecular cargo of pro-
teins, nucleic acids, lipids and metabolites. Together with the
number of EVs, this “EVome” reflects the state of the organ-
ism and is subject to change upon environmental cues and the
activation state of the cell. EVs may thus target recipient cells
by e.g. the transfer of genomic material, or influence them by
EV-derived signaling molecules.
EVs have already been shown to function in various roles
of cell-cell communication, in processes ranging from the
regulation of immune responses – both good and bad – to
cancer metastasis. The novel mechanism of cell signaling via
EVs is a hot topic of contemporary cell biology.
At the same time, there is a fast increasing interest in the
use of EVs in diagnostics (liquid biopsies), therapeutics, and
in drug delivery. The composition and quantity of EVs chang-
es in many diseases, and is actively studied in cancer, opening
possibilities for the use of EVs as early diagnostic or prog-
nostic indicators. Furthermore, EVs may carry much of the
therapeutic potential of stem cells and could be utilized in the
treatment of complex diseases.
EVCORE
OFTHEUNIVERSITYOFHELSINKI
The EV core is a co-operational venture of the Department
of Biosciences (the Faculty of Biological and Environmental
Sciences) and the Faculty of Pharmacy at the Viikki campus,
and the Institute for Molecular Medicine Finland (FIMM) at
the Meilahti campus, consisting of two laboratories dedicated
to EV research.
The research group in Viikki focuses on understanding
how EVs from varying cellular sources regulate cell behavior
and cross-talk e.g. in immunity and inflammation and during
development, and how they could be utilized in diagnostics or
therapeutics. EV research at FIMM focuses on liquid biopsy
disease biomarkers, taking advantage of the national sample
collections, for example in the Helsinki Urological Biobank.
The methodology of this novel field is rapidly advancing.
Together, the core members focus to further develop EV-
know-how and methods in a research consortium, mixing ac-
ademia and companies managed by the SalWe Ltd (www.sal-
we.fi). The EV core is internationally connected to EV experts
worldwide through the EU COST Action BM1202 (MEHAD;
www.mehad-cost.eu), via the International Society for Extra-
cellular Vesicles (ISEV; isev.org), and the International Soci-
ety on Thrombosis and Haemostasis (ISTH; www.isth.org),
and is committed to standardization of EV measurements
and methodology via METVES (www.metves.eu).
LALS(Peak)
102
103
104
101
102
103
104
LALS(Peak)
102
103
104
488-Red(Peak)
101
102
103
104
LALS(Peak)
102
103
104
488-Red(Peak)
101
102
103
104
488-Red(Peak)
LALS(Peak)
102
103
104
488-Grm(Peak)
101
102
103
104
180 nm 240 & 300 nm
Silica beads
Polystyrene beads
100
110 nm
500 nm
590, 800 & 1300 nm
3. Active Science and R&D
In the Finnish Red Cross Blood Service, we perform active research to increase biomedical knowledge in the area of our
expertise. Collaboration with the Core Facilities in University of Helsinki such as biobanks, genome center and EV Core,
enables the access to specialized know-how and techniques.
Our current focus areas are:
• The biology of blood cells and extracellular vesicles produced by them
• Effects of blood donation on donor physiology and health
• Immunogenetic compatibility of blood, stem cell and organ transplantation
• Development of and research on novel advanced cell therapy products www.bloodservice.fi/Research Projects
EVCORESERVICES
As an academic research and service facility, the EV core pro-
vides the state-of-the-art and gold standard EV-technologies
for research groups, hospitals, companies and other author-
ities in the EV-field. The EV core infrastructure can provide
customers with EV isolation, quantification and characteriza-
tion services, as well as contacts to various downstream anal-
yses, such as different “omics” approaches in the other core
facilities of university based on our optimized EV-protocols.
CURRENTEXPERTISE
OFTHEEVCORE:
Optimized sample handling and storage
EV production in cell lines (2D and 3D)
EV purification from complex sample
matrixes (plasma, urine and cell
culture media etc.)
EV isolation withtraditional and novel
methods (ultracentrifugation,
size-exclusion columns, kits)
EV quantification and size-range analysis
(Nanoparticle tracking analyzer)
EV subpopulation analysis
(Apogee high resolution flow cytometer
– populations, concentration and
specific labelling of EVs)
Electron microscopy
Nucleic acid and protein analyses
EV-specific protocols for omics and
data analysis/normalization
EV standard and method development
4. •www.jssuomi.fi
Flow Cytometers
for Extracellular
Vesicles
www.apogeeflow.com
Capital for Medical Innovations
Maija Puhka, PhD
EV core FIMM
Biomedicum 2 U
Tukholmankatu 8
00014 University of Helsinki
Finland
+358 400 826 846
Pia Siljander, PhD, Docent
EV core Viikki
Biocenter 1 (in Cultivator II until 2017)
Viikinkaari 9, C5330
00014 University of Helsinki
Finland
+358 2941 590 23
+358 2941 590 31 LAB
CONTACTINFORMATION:
ev-core@helsinki.fi
www.helsinki.fi/bio/ev
