Microvesicles : From research to clinical practice

Microvesicles are small membrane-bound vesicles released from a variety of cells (platelets, red blood cells, leucocytes, endothelial cells …) which circulate in the blood. Their size ranges from 100 to 1000 nm in diameter. Microvesicles are involved in several important physiological and pathological processes, including coagulation, inflammation, immune response, and cancer metastasis.

The aim of this webinar is to present the role of microvesicles and how they can be used in clinical practice. Microvesicles play a critical role in coagulation by exposing phosphatidylserine (PS) on their surface. PS promotes the coagulation cascade, leading to clot formation. Microvesicles play also a role in fibrinolysis; they can generate plasmin and vectorize fibrinolytic activity.

The dual role of microvesicles, which express both procoagulant and profibrinolytic molecules, has given rise to the concept of «microvesicle coagulytic balance» to describe their impact on hemostasis. In addition to their roles in hemostasis, microvesicles are essential in inflammation, immune modulation, and cancer metastasis.

Microvesicles are becoming valuable biomarkers and therapeutic tools. As research advances, microvesicles could offer new strategies for early diagnosis and treatment, particularly in personalized medicine. Their ability to carry biological cargo opens the door to non-invasive diagnostics and targeted therapies, possibly revolutionizing healthcare. Recent improvement in standardization and availability of commercial assays make microvesicles an interesting tool transitioning from research to clinical practice.