Whole-blood samples are extensively stored in biobanks worldwide, but their potential for extracellular vesicle (EV) research remains largely underused. Most circulating EV studies rely on plasma or serum, excluding part of the biological information originally present in blood and potentially overlooking molecular signals relevant to disease mechanisms and biomarker discovery.
Researchers from the +Pec Proteomics Research Group at IRBLleida and the University of Lleida in Spain, together with researchers from Brock University in Canada and Newcastle University in the United Kingdom, optimized the PRotein Organic Solvent PRecipitation method, known as PROSPR, for the rapid and standardized enrichment of EVs directly from whole blood. The workflow produces highly purified EV preparations while preserving vesicle morphology, membrane integrity, and stability. Its performance was validated using standard methodology in the field, followed by high-depth systems biology and multiomics analyses.
The main finding was that whole-blood-derived EVs contained coordinated platelet- and mitochondria-associated protein and lipid signatures that were not detected in corresponding plasma-derived EV fractions. Whole-blood EV analysis therefore captures complementary biological information that is lost when only plasma or serum is examined. The method is rapid, accessible, and compatible with standard laboratory equipment, facilitating its adoption in biomedical and clinical research settings.
By enabling the analysis of previously underused archived whole-blood samples, PROSPR provides a practical strategy to unlock valuable national and international biobank collections. This approach may support deeper investigation of disease mechanisms and expand opportunities for discovering circulating biomarkers for early diagnosis, prognosis, and disease monitoring. The work, entitled “ Optimized enrichment of circulating extracellular vesicles from whole blood samples using PROSPR ”, was published in Extracellular Vesicles and Circulating Nucleic Acids (published on July 7, 2026).
Extracellular Vesicles and Circulating Nucleic Acids
Experimental study
Not applicable
Optimized enrichment of circulating extracellular vesicles from whole blood samples using PROSPR
7-Jul-2026