Three major types of EVs and their characterization
| EVs classification | Size | Biogenesis | Markers | Physical methods |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Microvesicles | 100–1,000 nm | Plasma membrane budding | Integrins, selectins, and CD40 | SEM, TEM, AFM, NTA, TRPS, flow cytometry |
| Exosomes | 30–100 nm | Endosomal MVBs | ESCRT proteins, ALIX, TSG101, HSP90, tetraspanins (CD81, CD63, CD9), Rab proteins, flotillin | SEM, TEM, Cryo-EM, AFM, DLS, NTA, TRPS, SEA, flow cytometry |
| Apoptotic bodies | 500–5,000 nm | Membrane-surrounded cell fragments | Annexin V, thrombospondin, C3b | SEM, TEM, flow cytometry |
SEM: scanning electron microscopy; TEM: transmission electron microscopy; AFM: atomic force microscopy; NTA: nanoparticle tracking analysis; TRPS: tunable resistive pulse sensing; Cryo-EM: cyro-electron microscopy; DLS: dynamic light scattering; SEA: single EV analysis; C3b: activated fragment of complement component C3: ALIX: apoptosis-linked gene 2-interacting protein X; TSG101: tumor susceptibility gene 101; HSP90: heat shock protein 90