Model-Dependent EV Biomarker Signatures: From Culture Systems to Translational Perspectives
- 1Department of Life, Health and Environmental Sciences, University of L′Aquila, 67100 L’Aquila, Italy
- 2Institute of Translational Pharmacology (IFT), National Research Council (CNR), 90146 Palermo, Italy
Abstract
Extracellular Vesicles (EVs) have emerged as key mediators of intercellular communication and, more recently, as promising biomarkers for disease diagnosis, prognosis, and therapeutic monitoring. In vitro cellular models are essential tools for investigating EV biogenesis, cargo composition, and biological functions. This review provides an overview of EV biology, including their classification, molecular content, biological functions and clinical relevance. It summarizes the main two-dimensional (2D) and three-dimensional (3D) culture systems currently used in EV research. The literature suggests that 3D models more closely recapitulate in vivo architecture, whereas conventional 2D cultures may introduce biological biases that affect experimental outcomes. While these aspects are presented from a simplified perspective to provide necessary background, the review primarily evaluates whether and how culture model selection influences EV production and features. In the final sections, we summarize and discuss evidence comparing EV yield, molecular cargo, functional properties, and biomarker profiles from 2D and 3D systems, and how they reflect in vivo settings. By examining these differences, we discuss their implications for interpreting EV-based studies and the importance of model choice in identifying and validating reliable EV biomarkers.
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BibTeX
@article{fazio2026modeldependent,
title = {{Model-Dependent EV Biomarker Signatures: From Culture Systems to Translational Perspectives}},
author = {Giulia di Fazio and Giuseppina Poppa and Sandra D’Ascenzo and Vincenza Dolo and Simona Taverna and Ilaria Giusti},
journal = {International Journal of Molecular Sciences},
year = {2026},
month = oct,
doi = {10.3390/ijms27209325},
url = {https://www.mdpi.com/1422-0067/27/20/9325},
note = {CC BY 4.0},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Model-Dependent EV Biomarker Signatures: From Culture Systems to Translational Perspectives
AU - Giulia di Fazio
AU - Giuseppina Poppa
AU - Sandra D’Ascenzo
AU - Vincenza Dolo
AU - Simona Taverna
AU - Ilaria Giusti
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/10/01
JO - International Journal of Molecular Sciences
DO - 10.3390/ijms27209325
UR - https://www.mdpi.com/1422-0067/27/20/9325
AB - Extracellular Vesicles (EVs) have emerged as key mediators of intercellular communication and, more recently, as promising biomarkers for disease diagnosis, prognosis, and therapeutic monitoring. In vitro cellular models are essential tools for investigating EV biogenesis, cargo composition, and biological functions. This review provides an overview of EV biology, including their classification, molecular content, biological functions and clinical relevance. It summarizes the main two-dimensional (2D) and three-dimensional (3D) culture systems currently used in EV research. The literature suggests that 3D models more closely recapitulate in vivo architecture, whereas conventional 2D cultures may introduce biological biases that affect experimental outcomes. While these aspects are presented from a simplified perspective to provide necessary background, the review primarily evaluates whether and how culture model selection influences EV production and features. In the final sections, we summarize and discuss evidence comparing EV yield, molecular cargo, functional properties, and biomarker profiles from 2D and 3D systems, and how they reflect in vivo settings. By examining these differences, we discuss their implications for interpreting EV-based studies and the importance of model choice in identifying and validating reliable EV biomarkers.
SN - 1422-0067
ER -