A Robust and Clinically Applicable Sample Preparation Protocol for Urinary Extracellular Vesicle Isolation Suitable for Mass Spectrometry-Based Proteomics

Abstract

Urinary extracellular vesicles (uEVs) are a rich source of noninvasive protein biomarkers. However, for translation to clinical applications, an easy-to-use uEV isolation protocol is needed that is compatible with proteomics. Here, we provide a detailed description of a quick and clinical applicable uEV isolation protocol. We focus on the isolation procedure and subsequent in-depth proteome characterization using LC-MS/MS-based proteomics. As an example, we show how differential analyses can be performed using urine samples obtained from prostate cancer patients, compared to urine from controls.

Keywords: Clinically applicable; Extracellular vesicles; Isolation of urinary extracellular vesicles; Mass spectrometry; Proteomics; Urine.