Extracellular vesicles challenge Neo-Darwinism


Extracellular vesicle analysis

Hendrix et al., Nature Reviews Methods Primers (2023)

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are nanoscale membrane-bound structures that are secreted by all cells. They contain a variety of biomolecules, including proteins, nucleic acids, and lipids, and play a role in cell-cell communication, signaling, and transport. EVs have been implicated in a wide range of physiological and pathological processes, including cancer, inflammation, and immunity.

EVs can be isolated from a variety of biological fluids, including blood, plasma, serum, urine, saliva, and cerebrospinal fluid. There are a number of different methods for EV isolation, each with its own advantages and disadvantages. The most common methods include ultracentrifugation, density gradient centrifugation, and size-exclusion chromatography.

Once EVs have been isolated, they can be characterized using a variety of methods, including microscopy, flow cytometry, and proteomics. Microscopy can be used to visualize the size and morphology of EVs. Flow cytometry can be used to quantify the number of EVs and to identify specific EV subpopulations based on their surface markers. Proteomics can be used to identify the proteins that are present in EVs.

EVs can also be analyzed for their functional properties. For example, EVs can be analyzed for their ability to transfer cargo to other cells or to modulate cell signaling pathways. Functional assays can be used to screen EVs for potential therapeutic applications.

EV functional analysis

EVs can also be analyzed for their functional properties. For example, EVs can be analyzed for their ability to transfer cargo to other cells or to modulate cell signaling pathways.

One common way to analyze the ability of EVs to transfer cargo to other cells is to label the cargo with a fluorescent dye and then incubate the EVs with recipient cells. If the EVs are able to transfer cargo to the recipient cells, the fluorescence will be detected inside the recipient cells.

Another way to analyze the functional properties of EVs is to use cell signaling assays. For example, EVs can be analyzed for their ability to activate or inhibit specific signaling pathways in recipient cells.

Applications of EV analysis

EV analysis has a wide range of potential applications. For example, EV analysis can be used to:

  • Diagnose diseases: EVs can contain biomarkers that are specific for certain diseases. EV analysis can be used to detect these biomarkers and to diagnose diseases early on.

  • Monitor disease progression: EV analysis can be used to monitor the progression of diseases, such as cancer, by measuring the levels of specific EV biomarkers.

  • Develop new therapies: EVs can be used to deliver therapeutic agents to cells. EV analysis can be used to develop new therapies that are more targeted and effective.

EV analysis is a rapidly developing field with a wide range of potential applications. As the technology continues to improve, EV analysis is expected to play an increasingly important role in research and clinical practice.


The article  by Hendrix et al. challenges neo-Darwinism in a few ways.

First, the article highlights the role of EVs in intercellular communication. This challenges the neo-Darwinian view of evolution as a purely competitive process. EVs allow cells to cooperate and share resources, which is essential for the development and maintenance of complex multicellular organisms.

Second, the article discusses the role of EVs in horizontal gene transfer (HGT). HGT is the transfer of genetic material between unrelated organisms. It is a event in eukaryotes, but EVs may provide a mechanism for HGT to occur. This would challenge the neo-Darwinian view of evolution as a process driven by vertical descent (i.e., the inheritance of genes from parents to offspring).

Third, the article discusses the role of EVs in epigenetics. Epigenetics is the study of how gene expression is regulated without changing the DNA sequence itself. EVs can carry epigenetic markers, such as DNA methylation and histone modifications, from one cell to another. This could allow for the inheritance of acquired traits, which is not possible under the traditional neo-Darwinian framework.

Overall, the article challenges neo-Darwinism. EVs play a role in intercellular communication, HGT, and epigenetics, all of which are phenomena that are not easily explained by traditional neo-Darwinian theory.

Here are some specific examples of how the article challenges neo-Darwinism:

  • "EVs have been implicated in a wide range of physiological and pathophysiological processes, including cell-cell communication, immune regulation, and cancer progression." This suggests that EVs play an important role in the development and maintenance of complex multicellular organisms, which is not easily explained by the neo-Darwinian view of evolution as a purely competitive process.

  • "EVs can carry a variety of molecules, including proteins, lipids, nucleic acids, and metabolites." This suggests that EVs could potentially be used to transfer genetic material between unrelated organisms, which would challenge the neo-Darwinian view of evolution as a process driven by vertical descent.

  • "EVs can also carry epigenetic information, such as DNA methylation and histone modifications." This suggests that EVs could potentially allow for the inheritance of acquired traits, which is not possible under the traditional neo-Darwinian framework.

It is important to note that the article does present a number of findings that challenge traditional neo-Darwinian theory. It is likely that neo-Darwinism will need to be modified or replaced to incorporate these new findings.

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