CN113495029A

CN113495029A - Device and method for separating desired substances

Info

Publication number: CN113495029A
Application number: CN202010250944.XA
Authority: CN
Inventors: 杨昆德
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2020-04-01
Filing date: 2020-04-01
Publication date: 2021-10-12

Abstract

Disclosed herein are devices and methods for separating a desired substance (MOI) from a urine sample. The isolated MOI can be used to analyze the level and/or pattern of biomarkers expressed thereon and/or therein. The level and/or pattern of the biomarker determined in the MOI may be an indicator of a diagnostic and/or prognostic analysis of the pathological state of the subject. The apparatus of the present disclosure includes at least one filter configured to retain at least three sets of MOIs having diameter sizes between 1.0-20 μm, 0.20-1.0 μm, or 0.05-0.20 μm, respectively.

Description

Device and method for separating desired substances

Background

1. Field of the invention

The present disclosure relates generally to the field of separating and isolating desired substances (MOI) from biological samples.

2. Background of the invention

Cells, Extracellular Vesicles (EVs), which include exosomes (Exo) and Microvesicles (MVs), and soluble molecules are present in various tissue fluid sources, such as urine, cerebrospinal fluid, pleural fluid, ascites, amniotic fluid, bronchoalveolar lavage fluid, and saliva. Since the protein and/or nucleic acid levels of cells, MV, Exo and/or soluble molecules reflect the physiological and pathological conditions of human tissues, cells, Exo and/or soluble molecules are suitable for use in predictive, diagnostic and prognostic assays for diseases by comparing their protein and/or nucleic acid levels to normal healthy subjects.

Since cells, MV, Exo, and/or soluble molecules can be derived from various types of cells (e.g., endothelial cells, epithelial cells, leukocytes, etc.), whether diseased or normal; and may be released from distal tissues (e.g., brain, heart, pancreas, bone marrow, lung, kidney, and reproductive tissues, including fetal, maternal, and placental tissues), there is a need in the art for a way to isolate cells, MV, Exo, and/or soluble molecules from a biological sample of a subject such that the isolated cells, MV, Exo, and/or soluble molecules can receive an in situ or ex situ assigned bioassay of biomarkers on the isolated cells, MV, Exo, and/or soluble molecules to provide a diagnostic or prognostic analysis of a disease and/or condition associated with the biomarkers analyzed in the subject. Preferably, based on the biomarkers analyzed, appropriate treatment can be administered to the subject to reduce and/or ameliorate a condition associated with the disease and/or condition.

Disclosure of Invention

The following presents a simplified summary of the disclosure in order to provide a basic understanding to the reader. This summary is not an extensive overview of the disclosure and it does not identify key/critical elements of the invention or delineate the scope of the invention. Its sole purpose is to present some concepts disclosed herein in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detailed description that is presented later.

As embodied and broadly described herein, one aspect of the present disclosure is directed to a device for separating desired Substances (MOIs) from a urine sample. The apparatus includes a cartridge including at least one filter configured to retain at least three groups of MOIs having diameter sizes between 1.0-20 μm, 0.20-1.0 μm, or 0.05-0.02 μm, respectively.

According to embodiments of the present disclosure, the filter may be a size screening column, an affinity column, an elutriator, or a porous membrane. In a preferred embodiment, the cartridge comprises an affinity column, which is an anion exchange column. In another preferred embodiment, the cartridge comprises three filters connected in series with each other, wherein the first, second and third filters are respectively porous membranes, the three filters respectively comprising a plurality of pores having diameters of about 0.8-1 μm, 0.20-0.22 μm and 0.03-0.05 μm.

According to a preferred embodiment of the present disclosure, a group (or population) of MOIs having a diameter size between 1.0-20 μm comprises cells; the MOI group, which has a diameter size between 0.20 and 1.0 μm, comprises Microvesicles (MVs); the MOI group, with diameter sizes between 0.05-0.02 μm, includes exosomes (Exo).

Alternatively or optionally, the apparatus may further comprise: a first container upstream of the cartridge for containing a urine sample; and a second vessel downstream of the cartridge for collecting a filtrate comprising soluble molecules having a diameter of less than 0.05 μm.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the soluble molecules having a diameter of less than 0.05 μm comprise DNA, RNA, proteins, polysaccharides, lipids or combinations thereof.

According to embodiments of the present disclosure, the filter is made of ceramic, resin, metal, polymer, hollow fiber, or a combination thereof.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the ceramic is made of a material selected from the group consisting of: zeolites, silica, silicon carbide, alumina, aluminum titanate, spinel, mullite, zirconium phosphate, perovskites, and combinations thereof.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the resin is made of a material selected from the group consisting of: organic compounds, synthetic compounds, and combinations thereof.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the metal is selected from the group consisting of: stainless steel, nickel, aluminum, silver, gold, cadmium, cobalt, iron, molybdenum, niobium, copper, palladium, platinum, rhodium, ruthenium, tantalum, titanium, tungsten, zirconium, alloys, and combinations thereof.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the polymer is selected from the group consisting of: the polymeric material may be selected from the group consisting of a cellulose, a polyester, a polyether, a polypropylene, a polyamide, a polyimide, a polyurethane, a polytetrafluoroethylene, a polyolefin, a polyurea, a polyesteramide, a polyethylene terephthalate, a polytetrafluoroethylene, a polysiloxane, a polysulfone, a polyester urethane, a polycarbonate, a polyvinyl chloride, and combinations thereof.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the hollow fibers are carbon fibers, glass fibers, metal fibers, or a combination thereof.

A second aspect of the present disclosure is directed to a method of separating a desired substance (MOI) from a urine sample by using the above-described device. The method comprises the following steps of,

(a) allowing the urine sample to pass through the cartridge of the device of the present invention so as to retain at least three sets of MOIs having diameter dimensions of between 1.0-20 μm, 0.20-1.0 μm, or 0.05-0.02 μm, respectively, in the filter;

(b) collecting a filtrate eluted from the cartridge, wherein the filtrate comprises soluble molecules less than 0.05 μm; and

(c) recovering the MOI from the filter and the filtrate collected in step (b), respectively.

According to a preferred embodiment of the present disclosure, the group of MOIs having a diameter size between 1.0-20 μm comprises cells; the MOI group, which has a diameter size between 0.20 and 1.0 μm, comprises Microvesicles (MVs); the MOI group with a diameter size between 0.05-0.02 μm comprises exosomes (Exo); and soluble molecules less than 0.05 μm in diameter include DNA, RNA, proteins, polysaccharides, lipids, or combinations thereof.

According to embodiments of the present disclosure, the MOI recovered in step (c), the filtrate comprising the soluble macromolecule in step (b), or the filter in step (a) in which the MOI is retained is subjected to an immunoblot, chip analysis, fluorescent detection, enzymatic or electrochemical reaction to detect at least one biomarker thereon or therein.

Examples of biomarkers on MOI include, but are not limited to: soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase 1(sFlt 1); pregnancy-associated plasma protein a (pappa); brain derived neurotrophic factor (BNDF); and insulin-like growth factor binding protein 1(IGFBP1), IGFB 2; interleukin-1 (IL-1), IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, IL-12; interleukin 1 receptor antagonist (IL 1-ra); C-X-C motif chemokine ligand 13(CXCL 13); insulin-like growth factor (IGF); insulin-like growth factor receptor 1(IGFR 1); fibroblast growth factor 1(FGF-1), FGF-2; leptin; heparin-binding EGF-like growth factor (HB-EGF); vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGF-A), VEGF-C, VEGF-D; hepatocyte Growth Factor (HGF); e-cadherin; leucine-rich alpha-2-glycoprotein 1(LRG 1); neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL); 8-oxohydroxydeoxyguanosine (8-OHdG); granulocyte colony stimulating factor (G-CSF); alpha-synuclein; l1 cell adhesion molecule (L1 CAM); s100 calbindin A8(S100 A8); β 4 integrin; mucin 5AC (Muc5 AC); amphiregulin (AREG); cell adhesion molecule 1(CADM 1); the COCH gene encodes the protein produced (cochlin); arginase-1 (Arg-1); beta-galactosidase; interferon gamma-induced protein 10 (IP-10); monocyte chemotactic protein 1 (MCP-1); growth regulated alpha protein (GRO- α); syndecan 1, syndecan 4; monocyte chemoattractant protein-3 (MCP-3); tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF α); granulocyte macrophage colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF); macrophage colony stimulating factor (M-CSF); zonulin; neuro-mercerization (NFL); high mobility group protein B1(HMGB 1); or a nucleic acid.

Another aspect of the present disclosure is directed to a method of making a diagnostic or prognostic assay for a disease from a urine sample from a subject with the present device. The urine sample includes cells, microvesicles, exosomes and soluble macromolecules, and each of the cells, microvesicles, exosomes and soluble molecules has a target molecule expressed thereon and/or therein. The method comprises the following steps of,

(a) allowing the urine sample to pass through the cartridge of the device, thereby leaving the cells, microvesicles and exosomes trapped in the at least one filter;

(b) collecting the filtrate of the cartridge, the filtrate comprising soluble molecules;

(c) adding captured molecules to the soluble molecules harvested in step (b) and to the cells, microvesicles, and exosomes retained by the at least one filter in step (a), respectively, wherein each captured molecule is associated with a reporter molecule and exhibits a binding affinity to a target molecule;

(d) determining the level of reporter molecule bound to the target molecule in step (c); and

(e) making a diagnostic or prognostic analysis based on the level of reporter determined in step (d), wherein when the level of reporter determined is different from the level of reporter in a reference sample obtained from a healthy subject, then the subject has or is at risk of developing a disease.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the reporter is selected from the group consisting of: label molecules, radioactive molecules, fluorescent molecules, phosphorescent molecules, chemiluminescent molecules, and enzymes.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, in step (d), the level of the reporter is determined by: electrochemical analysis, Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR), real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), flow cytometry assays, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA), chip arrays, magnetic bead arrays, western blots, or kinase assays.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the captured molecule is an aptamer, a polysaccharide, a lectin, an antibody or a combination thereof.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the target molecule is one of: soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase 1(sFlt 1); pregnancy-associated plasma protein a (pappa); brain derived neurotrophic factor (BNDF); and insulin-like growth factor binding protein 1(IGFBP1), IGFB 2; interleukin-1 (IL-1), IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, IL-12; interleukin 1 receptor antagonist (IL 1-ra); C-X-C motif chemokine ligand 13(CXCL 13); insulin-like growth factor (IGF); insulin-like growth factor receptor 1(IGFR 1); fibroblast growth factor 1(FGF-1), FGF-2; leptin; heparin-binding EGF-like growth factor (HB-EGF); vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGF-A), VEGF-C, VEGF-D; hepatocyte Growth Factor (HGF); e-cadherin; leucine-rich alpha-2-glycoprotein 1(LRG 1); neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL); 8-oxohydroxydeoxyguanosine (8-OHdG); granulocyte colony stimulating factor (G-CSF); alpha-synuclein; l1 cell adhesion molecule (L1 CAM); s100 calbindin A8(S100 A8); β 4 integrin; mucin 5AC (Muc5 AC); amphiregulin (AREG); cell adhesion molecule 1(CADM 1); the COCH gene encodes the protein produced (cochlin); arginase-1 (Arg-1); beta-galactosidase; interferon gamma-induced protein 10 (IP-10); monocyte chemotactic protein 1 (MCP-1); growth regulated alpha protein (GRO- α); syndecan 1, syndecan 4; monocyte chemoattractant protein-3 (MCP-3); tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF α); granulocyte macrophage colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF); macrophage colony stimulating factor (M-CSF); zonulin; neuro-mercerization (NFL); high mobility group protein B1(HMGB 1); or a nucleic acid.

According to embodiments of the present disclosure, the nucleic acid may be DNA or RNA.

According to embodiments of the present disclosure, the disease may be a cancer, an inflammatory disease, a degenerative disease, an infectious disease, or a reproductive disease.

Examples of cancer include, but are not limited to, gastric cancer, lung cancer, bladder cancer, breast cancer, pancreatic cancer, renal cancer, colorectal cancer, cervical cancer, ovarian cancer, brain tumors, prostate cancer, hepatocellular cancer, melanoma, esophageal cancer, multiple myeloma, and head and neck cancer.

Examples of inflammatory diseases include, but are not limited to, psoriasis, colitis, burns, acute kidney injury, brain trauma, skin injury, arthritis, and autoimmune diseases.

Examples of degenerative diseases include, but are not limited to, parkinson's disease, alzheimer's disease, dementia, stroke, chronic kidney disease, chronic lung disease, prostatic hypertrophy, and hearing loss.

Examples of infectious diseases include, but are not limited to, infections caused by bacteria, viruses, or fungi.

Examples of reproductive diseases include, but are not limited to, spontaneous abortion, intrauterine growth retardation, intrauterine infection, congenital abnormalities, premature birth, preeclampsia, and maternal diabetes.

The subject of the present method is preferably a mammal. According to some working examples of the present disclosure, the subject is a human.

Many additional features and advantages of the present disclosure will be better understood with reference to the following detailed description considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

Drawings

The patent or application file contains at least one drawing. The patent office will provide copies of this patent or patent application publication with drawings in accordance with the requirements and payment of the necessary fee. The specification will be better understood from a reading of the detailed description below with reference to the attached drawings, in which:

FIG. 1A is a schematic diagram depicting an apparatus 100 for isolating an MOI from a biological sample, constructed in accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 1B is a schematic diagram depicting the apparatus 100 of FIG. 1A, according to another alternative embodiment of the present disclosure;

figure 2 is a photograph illustrating differential expression of E-cadherin in urine MOI according to one embodiment of the present disclosure;

figure 3 is a photograph depicting separation of EV by anion exchange chromatography according to one embodiment of the present disclosure,

fig. 4 is a photograph illustrating the following differential expressions among cells, MV, EV between young (Y) and older (O) subjects, according to one embodiment of the present disclosure: (A) neural cell adhesion molecule L1(LICAM), (B) neuron-specific enolase (NSE), and (C) neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL);

fig. 5 is a bar graph depicting differential expression of various vascular mediators and cytokines among cells isolated by the present device, MV, Exo (EV) and soluble filtrate (Soln) between normal (N) or preterm (P) pregnant women, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 6 is a bar graph depicting differential expression of various biomarkers among MV, Exo and soluble filtrate (Soln), according to one embodiment of the present disclosure;

figure 7 is a bar graph depicting differential expression of various biomarkers among MV, Exo, and soluble filtrate (Soln) between young (AVG-young) and older (AVG-old) adult subjects, according to one embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 8 is a bar graph depicting differential expression of various biomarkers among MV, Exo and soluble filtrate (Soln) between an adult with Parkinson's disease (AVG-PD) and an age-matched healthy adult (AVG-C), according to one embodiment of the present disclosure;

fig. 9 is a photograph depicting expression of leucine-rich alpha-2-glycoprotein 1(LRG1) in young subjects (Y1, Y2), older subjects (O1, O2, O3, and O4), and PD subjects (PD1, PD2), in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;

figure 10 is a histogram depicting DNA levels among MV, Exo, and filtrate (Soln) between young and older (elderly) adult subjects, according to one embodiment of the present disclosure;

figure 11 is a bar graph depicting levels of 8OHdG among MV, Exo, and soluble filtrate (Soln) among older subjects with or without PD, according to one embodiment of the present disclosure; and

FIG. 12 provides data on the levels of dengue virus NS1 antigen, protein biomarkers, and DNA in MV, Exo, and soluble filtrate (Soln) of a subject infected with dengue virus, wherein (A) is a Western blot analysis of NS1 antigen; (B) and (C) are histograms depicting differential expression of biomarkers among MV and Exo of dengue subjects, respectively, wherein (B) does not exhibit a clinical warning signal and (C) exhibits a clinical warning signal; and (D) is a bar graph depicting the level of 8OHdG among MV and Exo between healthy subjects and subjects infected with dengue virus.

Detailed Description

The detailed description provided below in connection with the appended drawings is intended as a description of the present examples and is not intended to represent the only forms in which the present example may be constructed or utilized. The description sets forth the functions of the example and the sequence of steps for constructing and operating the example. However, the same or equivalent functions and sequences may be accomplished by different examples.

I. Definition of

For convenience, certain terms employed in the specification, examples, and appended claims are collected here. Unless defined otherwise herein, scientific and technical terms used in the present disclosure shall have the meanings that are commonly understood and used by those of ordinary skill in the art. Also, unless the context requires otherwise, it should be understood that singular terms shall include the plural form of the term, and plural terms shall include the singular. In particular, as used herein and in the claims, the singular forms "a", "an" and "the" include the plural forms unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Also, as used herein and in the claims, the terms "at least one" and "one or more" have the same meaning and include one, two, three, or more.

Notwithstanding that the numerical ranges and parameters setting forth the broad scope of the invention are approximations, the numerical values set forth in the specific examples are reported as precisely as possible. Any numerical value, however, inherently contains certain errors necessarily resulting from the standard deviation found in their respective testing measurements. Also, as used herein, the term "about" generally means within 10%, 5%, 1%, or 0.5% of a given value or range. Alternatively, the term "about" is meant to be within an acceptable standard error of the average as considered by one of ordinary skill in the art. Except in the operating/functional examples, or where otherwise expressly indicated, all numerical ranges, amounts, values and percentages disclosed herein, such as amounts of material, durations, temperatures, operating conditions, proportions of amounts, and the like, are to be understood as modified in all instances by the term "about". Accordingly, unless indicated to the contrary, the numerical parameters set forth in the present disclosure and attached claims are approximations that may vary depending upon the desired properties. At the very least, each numerical parameter should at least be construed in light of the number of reported significant digits and by applying ordinary rounding techniques.

The term "intended substance (MOI)" as used herein refers to substances that may be retained by the device of the present disclosure, such as cells, vesicles, Microvesicles (MV) and exosomes (Exo), in particular substances having a diameter of at least 0.05 μm, such as 0.06, 0.07, 0.08, 0.09, 0.1, 0.11, 0.12, 0.13, 0.14, 0.15, 0.16, 0.17, 0.18, 0.2, 0.21, 0.22, 0.23, 0.24, 0.25, 0.26, 0.27, 0.28, 0.29, 0.3, 0.31, 0.32, 0.33, 0.34, 0.35, 0.36, 0.37, 0.38, 0.39, 0.4, 0.41, 0.42, 0.43, 0.0644, 0.45, 0.35, 0.36, 0.37, 0.54, 0.42, 0.43, 0.54, 0.73, 0.54, 0.73, 0.72, 0.54, 0.73, 0.72, 0.73, 0.72, 0.42, 0.73, 0.72, 0.9, 0.72, 0.67, 0.73, 0.72, 0.73, 0.9, 0.73, 0.72, 0.9, 0.73, 0.9, 0.73, 0.67, 0.73, 0.72, 0.9, 0.73, 0.72, 0.9, 0.73, 0.9, 0.73, 0.72, 0.9, 0.73, 0.9, 0.27, 0.9, 0.72, 0.73, 0.72, 0.9, 0.73, 0.9, 0.73, 0.72, 0.9, 0.73, 0.9, 0.73, 0.72, 0.9, 0.73, 0.9, 0.73, 0.9, 0.73, 0.9, 0.73, 0.9, 0.72, 0.73, 0.95, 0.96, 0.97, 0.98, 0.99 and 1.0 μm; and soluble molecules with a diameter of less than 0.05 μm present in the filtrate of the present device (i.e., molecules that pass through the device and end up in the final filtrate), such as soluble molecules, e.g., peptides, polypeptides, hormones, growth factors, cytokines, etc.

The term "diagnosis" as used herein refers to the probability ("likelihood") by which a skilled artisan can estimate and/or determine whether a patient is suffering from a given disease or disorder. In the context of the present invention, "diagnosis" includes the use of the expression level of a specific target molecule of the present invention, optionally together with other clinical features, to achieve a diagnosis (i.e. occurrence or non-occurrence) of cancer, degenerative disease, infectious disease or aging of a subject from which a sample is obtained and assayed. Such a diagnosis being "determined" is not meant to imply that the diagnosis is 100% accurate. Many biomarkers are indicative of a variety of conditions. The skilled clinician does not use the biomarker results in an informative vacuum, but rather uses the test results with other clinical markers to achieve a diagnosis. Thus, a measured level of a biomarker on one side of a predetermined diagnostic threshold relative to a measured level on the other side of the predetermined diagnostic threshold indicates a greater likelihood of the subject developing disease.

The term "risk" herein refers to the potential for an outcome that may lead to an undesired outcome, such as the occurrence, progression or recurrence of a disease or disorder, such as preterm infant birth, degenerative disease, infectious disease, aging, etc.

The term "administered or administration" herein refers to a mode of delivery of an agent of the invention (e.g., an anti-degenerative, anti-infective, or anti-aging agent), including, but not limited to, intravenous, intra-articular, intra-tumoral, intramuscular, intraperitoneal, intraarterial, intracranial, or subcutaneous administration of the agent.

As used herein, "treatment" includes prophylactic (e.g., prophylactic), curative or palliative treatment of a disease or disorder in a mammal, particularly a human; and comprises: (1) prophylactic (e.g., prophylactic), curative, or palliative treatment to prevent a disease or disorder (e.g., cancer, degenerative disease, infectious disease, or aging) from occurring in an individual who may be predisposed to the disease or disorder but has not yet been diagnosed as having the disease or disorder; (2) inhibiting the disease or disorder (e.g., by arresting its development); or (3) ameliorating the disease or disorder (e.g., reducing symptoms associated with the disease or disorder).

The term "effective amount" as referred to herein means an amount of a component sufficient to produce the desired response. For therapeutic purposes, an effective amount is also one in which any toxic or deleterious effects of the component are counteracted by a therapeutically beneficial effect. An effective amount of the agent is not required to cure the disease or condition, but will provide treatment for the disease or condition such that the onset of the disease or condition is delayed, hindered, or prevented, or the symptoms of the disease or condition are ameliorated. An effective amount may be divided into one, two or more doses in a suitable form to be administered in one, two or more times throughout a specified period of time. The particular effective amount or sufficient amount will vary depending on factors such as: the particular condition being treated, the physical state of the patient (e.g., the patient's weight, age, or sex), the type of mammal or animal being treated, the duration of the treatment, the nature of concurrent therapy (if any), and the particular formulation employed and the structure of the compound or derivative thereof. An effective amount may be expressed, for example, in terms of cell number, grams, milligrams or micrograms, or milligrams per kilogram of body weight (mg/Kg). Alternatively, an effective amount may be expressed in a concentration of an active component (e.g., an anti-degenerative or anti-infectious agent of the present disclosure), such as a cell concentration, a molar concentration, a mass concentration, a volume concentration, a mass molar concentration, a molar fraction, a mass fraction, and a mixing ratio. A person of ordinary skill can calculate a Human Equivalent Dose (HED) of a drug, such as the present anti-degenerative or anti-infectious agent, based on the dose determined from an animal model. For example, in estimating the maximum safe dose for a human subject, the "maximum safe starting dose in an initial clinical trial of adult healthy volunteer treatment" issued by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) may be followed.

The term "subject" as used in the present disclosure refers to a mammal, such as a human, mouse, rat, hamster, guinea pig, rabbit, dog, cat, cow, goat, sheep, monkey, and horse. The term "subject" means both male and female unless one gender is specifically indicated. According to a preferred embodiment, the subject is a human.

The term "healthy subject" refers to a subject without a disease or disorder, e.g., a subject without symptoms of preterm labor, degenerative or infectious diseases, or a subject not in an aging condition (i.e., a subject about 30 years of age or under). Generally, the term "healthy subject" refers to a subject that has not been diagnosed as having a disease or disorder and that does not exhibit one or more (e.g., two, three, four, or five) symptoms associated with the disease or disorder.

Description of the invention

1. Apparatus and method for isolating MOI from biological samples

The general concept of the present invention is to isolate MOIs (e.g., cells, microvesicles, exosomes, etc.) from a biological sample, wherein the isolation is achieved by size screening, changes in affinity or ionic strength. Thus, the device is constructed by using at least one filter, which may be a size screening column, an affinity column, an elutriator or a porous membrane. Analysis of the biomarkers present in or on the isolated MOI can then be used to diagnose and/or prognosticate a disease and/or disorder in the subject from which the biological sample is derived based on comparison of the biomarker levels with a control sample derived from a sample of healthy normal subjects.

1.1 isolation of MOI by size screening

Fig. 1A is a schematic diagram depicting an apparatus 100 for isolating an MOI from a biological sample constructed in accordance with example 1.1 of the present disclosure; the apparatus 100 includes a cartridge 110, the cartridge 110 including three

filters

120, 130, 140 in series. The three

filters

120, 130, 140 are porous membranes, respectively, and are arranged in order of decreasing pore size. Specifically, from the inlet 101 to the outlet 102 of the cartridge 110, the pore size of one filter is larger than the pore size of the subsequent other filter. In other words, the pore size in the first filter is larger than the pore size in the second filter, which is larger than the pore size in the third filter. According to a preferred embodiment of the present disclosure, the first filter 120 includes a plurality of pores having a diameter of about 0.8-1 μm, the second filter 130 includes a plurality of pores having a diameter of about 0.20-0.22 μm, and the third filter 140 includes a plurality of pores having a diameter of about 0.03-0.05 μm. By this arrangement of the filters, at least three groups of MOIs having diameter sizes respectively between 1.0-20 μm, 0.20-1.0 μm or 0.05-0.02 μm can be separated.

During operation, cassette 110 is preferably in an upright position, with inlet 110 of cassette 110 facing upward and outlet 102 of cassette 110 facing downward. An aliquot of a biological sample (e.g., a urine sample) is fed into the cassette 110 from the inlet 101, which flows down through a first filter 120, where the MOI (e.g., cells) in the biological sample having a diameter of 1.0-20 μm, preferably at least 0.8 μm, will be retained by the first filter 110, and the remainder of the sample will continue to flow down and into a second filter 130, where the MOI (e.g., MV) having a diameter of 0.2-1.0 μm, preferably at least 0.2 μm, is retained by the second filter 130; the remaining sample will then continue to flow down into the third filter 140 where the MOI (e.g., exosomes) having a diameter of 0.2-0.05 μm, preferably at least 0.05 μm, are retained. The remaining sample, which contains material that cannot be retained by any of the three

filters

120, 130, 140, will be retained in the filtrate collected from the outlet 102 of the cartridge 110. Typically, once fed into the cassette 110, the sample will naturally flow through the cassette 110 by gravity. Alternatively or optionally, the sample can also be pushed through the magazine 110 manually or automatically by means of a force by means of a pump, syringe or the like.

Alternatively or optionally, as depicted in fig. 1B, the device 100 may further comprise a first container 160, located upstream of the cartridge 110, for containing a biological sample prior to and/or during operation. Alternatively or optionally, an additional filter 150 (i.e., a fourth filter 150) may be located after the first container 160 and before the cartridge 110 in order to prevent molecules in the biological sample having a diameter greater than 20 μm from entering the cartridge 110. Alternatively or optionally, a second container 170 may be located downstream of the outlet 102 of the cartridge 110 for collecting the filtrate eluted from the apparatus 100.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the MOI of at least 0.8 μm retained by the first filter is a cell, the MOI of at least 0.2 μm retained by the second filter is a Microvesicle (MV); and an MOI of at least 0.05 μm retained by the third filter is an exosome (Exo). The filtrate collected from the outlet 102 of the cartridge includes an MOI (i.e., soluble macromolecules) of less than 0.05 μm in diameter. MOI (i.e., soluble molecules) less than 0.05 μm in diameter include DNA, RNA, proteins, polysaccharides, lipids, or combinations thereof.

The MOI retained by the first, second and third filters, respectively, and the MOI present in the filtrate may be recovered independently and analyzed with respect to the level and/or pattern of biomarkers expressed thereon or therein in a suitable manner known to the skilled person which is specific for the biomarkers being analyzed.

1.2 isolation of MOI by changes in affinity or ionic Strength

According to another alternative embodiment of the present disclosure, the isolation of the MOI from the biological sample is achieved by using an affinity column. Thus, an apparatus was constructed comprising an anion exchange column that served as a filter for separating MOI. In this particular embodiment, an aliquot of a biological sample (e.g., a urine sample) is fed into the present device comprising an anion exchange column, and then an MOI of the desired size is eluted by a high concentration salt solution. In this way, at least three groups of MOIs having a diameter size of 1.0-20 μm, 0.20-1.0 μm or 0.05-0.20 μm, respectively, can be isolated. In particular, the MOI group, with a diameter size between 1.0-20 μm, comprises cells; the MOI group, which has a diameter size between 0.20 and 1.0 μm, comprises Microvesicles (MVs); the MOI group, with diameter sizes between 0.05-0.20 μm, includes exosomes (Exo).

1.3 Filter of the present device

Filters suitable for use in the present apparatus and/or method may be made of ceramics, resins, metals, polymers, hollow fibers, or combinations thereof, according to embodiments of the present disclosure, provided that the material comprising the filter is capable of retaining MOIs having the desired dimensions and characteristics.

Examples of ceramics suitable for use in constructing the filters of the present device include, but are not limited to, zeolites, silica, silicon carbide, alumina, aluminum titanate, spinel, mullite, zirconium phosphate, perovskite, and combinations thereof.

Examples of resins suitable for use in constructing the filter of the present device include, but are not limited to, organic compounds, synthetic compounds, and combinations thereof.

Examples of metals suitable for use in constructing the filter of the present device include, but are not limited to, stainless steel, nickel, aluminum, silver, gold, cadmium, cobalt, iron, molybdenum, niobium, copper, palladium, platinum, rhodium, ruthenium, tantalum, titanium, tungsten, zirconium, alloys, and combinations thereof.

Examples of polymers suitable for use in constructing the filter of the present device include, but are not limited to, cellulosics, polyesters, polyethers, polypropylenes, polyamides, polyimides, polyurethanes, polytetrafluoroethylenes, polyolefins, polyureas, polyesteramides, polyethylene terephthalates, polytetrafluoroethylenes, polysiloxanes, polysulfones, polyester urethanes, polycarbonates, polyvinyl chlorides, and combinations thereof.

Examples of hollow fibers suitable for use in constructing the filters of the present devices include, but are not limited to, carbon fibers, glass fibers, metal fibers, and combinations thereof.

Examples of biological samples suitable for isolating MOI according to embodiments of the present disclosure include, but are not limited to, urine, cerebrospinal fluid, pleural fluid, ascites, amniotic fluid, bronchoalveolar lavage, blood, or saliva. Preferably, urine is used to isolate the MOI.

2. Use of MOI retained and/or isolated by the present process and/or apparatus

The present device comprising one affinity column or three porous membrane filters in series as described above may be designed to operate manually or automatically. In manual mode, depending on the needs and/or instructions of the user, each filter in which the desired MOI is retained can be manually removed from the cassette and subjected to subsequent analysis, such as determining the level of DNA, biomarkers, etc. Alternatively or optionally, depending on the needs and/or instructions of the user, the device may be set to operate automatically, wherein the device may be coupled to a suitable analyzer such that, once separation of the MOI is completed, each filter having the desired MOI retained therein is automatically subjected to a pre-specified assay, such as an immunoassay, a chromatographic analysis, a chip array analysis, an electrochemical analysis, or the like.

The MOI separated by the present method and/or apparatus, including the MOI retained by the filter and the MOI present in the filtrate, may be separately recovered and subjected to analysis for the level and/or pattern of biomarkers expressed thereon or therein by any suitable means known to the skilled person which is specific to the biomarker being analyzed. The level and/or pattern of biomarkers in the MOI may be used as an indicator for a diagnostic and/or prognostic analysis of a pathological condition in a subject.

In one embodiment of the present disclosure, vascular mediators (vascular mediators), such as: soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase 1(sFlt 1); pregnancy-associated plasma protein a (pappa); brain derived neurotrophic factor (BNDF); and insulin-like growth factor binding protein 1(IGFBP1), IGFBP 2; and cytokines such as: IL-6, IL-8, IL-10; C-X-C motif chemokine ligand 13(CXCL 13); and interleukin 1 receptor antagonist (IL1-ra) levels and expression patterns were determined separately in MOI isolated from urine samples of pregnant women, including cells, MV and exosomes retained by the present device. According to embodiments of the present disclosure, a relatively high proportion of sFlt1/IL-10, PAPPA/IL-10, or IL-1ra/IL-10 indicates that the pregnant woman has a higher risk of preterm birth of the infant.

In another embodiment, biomarkers, such as: fibroblast growth factor 1(FGF-1), FGF-2; leptin; heparin-binding EGF-like growth factor (HB-EGF); vascular endothelial growth factor D (VEGF-D); and Hepatocyte Growth Factor (HGF) levels and expression patterns were determined separately in MOI isolated from urine samples of young or elderly subjects, including cells retained by the filter, MV and exosomes, and the filtrate eluted from the cassette. According to a preferred embodiment, elderly subjects have high levels of FGF-1 in MV, high levels of VEGF-D in exosomes, and high levels of PLGF in the soluble fraction (i.e. the final filtrate of the present method and/or apparatus); while young subjects have high levels of FGF-2 in MV.

In further embodiments, the levels and/or expression patterns of biomarkers such as FGF-1, HB-EGF and leptin are determined separately in the MOI (including cells retained by the filter, MV and exosomes, and the filtrate eluted from the cassette) isolated from urine samples of elderly subjects with or without Parkinson's Disease (PD). According to a preferred embodiment, the isolated exosomes of the PD subjects exhibit higher levels of leptin, with negligible amounts of leptin found in age-matched healthy adults.

In further embodiments, the level of dengue virus NS1 antigen, as well as the level and/or expression pattern of biomarkers such as EGF, G-CSF, VEFG-a, leptin, etc., are determined separately in the MOI (including cells retained by the filter, MV and exosomes, and the filtrate eluted from the cassette) isolated from the urine sample of a subject suffering from dengue virus infection. In a preferred embodiment, significant levels of the NS1 antigen were found in MV isolated from dengue patients. Furthermore, urine MV and Exo of dengue patients have significantly higher levels of EGF, while only urine exosomes have expression of G-CSF. Furthermore, dengue subjects exhibiting clinical warning signs had higher levels of leptin and VEGF-A, but lower levels of G-CSF than dengue patients without warning signs.

2.1 prognostic analysis of pathological conditions in a subject by means of the present device and/or method

Accordingly, the present disclosure also provides a method of making a diagnostic or prognostic assay for a disease from a biological sample of a subject, in which the biological sample comprises an MOI isolated by the present device and/or method. Thus, an isolated MOI may be a cell, a microvesicle, an exosome and a soluble macromolecule, and each of the cell, microvesicle, exosome and soluble macromolecule has a target molecule expressed thereon and/or therein. The method comprises the following steps of,

(a) allowing the biological sample to pass through the cartridge of the device to retain the cells, microvesicles and exosomes, respectively;

(c) adding captured molecules to the soluble molecules recovered in step (b) and to the cells, microvesicles and exosomes retained by the device in step (a), respectively, wherein each captured molecule is associated with a reporter molecule and exhibits binding affinity to a target molecule.

Examples of reporter molecules suitable for use in the present methods include, but are not limited to, tag molecules, radioactive molecules, fluorescent molecules, phosphorescent molecules, chemiluminescent molecules, and enzymes.

Examples of target molecules on an MOI include, but are not limited to: soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase 1(sFlt 1); pregnancy-associated plasma protein a (pappa); brain derived neurotrophic factor (BNDF); and insulin-like growth factor binding protein 1(IGFBP1), IGFBP 2; interleukin-1 (IL-1), IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, IL-12; interleukin 1 receptor antagonist (IL 1-ra); C-X-C motif chemokine ligand 13(CXCL 13); insulin-like growth factor (IGF); insulin-like growth factor receptor 1(IGFR 1); fibroblast growth factor 1(FGF-1), FGF-2; leptin; heparin-binding EGF-like growth factor (HB-EGF); vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGF-A), VEGF-C, VEGF-D; hepatocyte Growth Factor (HGF); e-cadherin; leucine-rich alpha-2-glycoprotein 1(LRG 1); neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL); 8-oxohydroxydeoxyguanosine (8-OHdG); granulocyte colony stimulating factor (G-CSF); alpha-synuclein; l1 cell adhesion molecule (L1 CAM); s100 calbindin A8(S100 A8); β 4 integrin; mucin 5AC (Muc5 AC); amphiregulin (AREG); cell adhesion molecule 1(CADM 1); the COCH gene encodes the protein produced (cochlin); arginase-1 (Arg-1); beta-galactosidase; interferon gamma-induced protein 10 (IP-10); monocyte chemotactic protein 1 (MCP-1); growth regulated alpha protein (GRO- α); syndecan 1, syndecan 4; monocyte chemoattractant protein-3 (MCP-3); tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF α); granulocyte macrophage colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF); macrophage colony stimulating factor (M-CSF); zonulin; neuro-mercerization (NFL); high mobility group protein B1(HMGB 1); or nucleic acids (e.g., DNA and RNA).

According to embodiments of the present disclosure, the expression pattern of various specific markers and/or the ratio of the expression levels of certain markers detected via suitable methods (e.g., immunoblotting, chip analysis, fluorescence detection, enzymatic or electrochemical reactions) may be used to make a diagnosis and/or prognosis analysis of a disease.

According to embodiments of the present disclosure, diseases that may be diagnosed by the present methods include, but are not limited to, cancer, inflammatory diseases, degenerative diseases, infectious diseases, or reproductive diseases.

Examples of cancers that can be diagnosed by the present methods include, but are not limited to, gastric cancer, lung cancer, bladder cancer, breast cancer, pancreatic cancer, renal cancer, colorectal cancer, cervical cancer, ovarian cancer, brain tumors, prostate cancer, hepatocellular carcinoma, melanoma, esophageal cancer, multiple myeloma, and head and neck cancer.

Examples of inflammatory diseases that can be diagnosed by the present method include, but are not limited to, psoriasis, colitis, burns, acute kidney injury, brain trauma, skin injury, arthritis, and autoimmune diseases.

Examples of degenerative diseases that can be diagnosed by the present method include, but are not limited to, parkinson's disease, alzheimer's disease, dementia, stroke, chronic kidney disease, chronic lung disease, prostatic hypertrophy, and hearing loss.

Examples of infectious diseases that can be diagnosed by the present methods include, but are not limited to, infections caused by bacteria, viruses, or fungi.

Examples of reproductive disorders that can be diagnosed by the present methods include, but are not limited to, spontaneous abortion, intrauterine growth retardation, intrauterine infection, congenital abnormalities, premature birth, preeclampsia, and maternal diabetes.

2.2 methods of treating diseases and/or conditions

Also disclosed herein is a method of treating preterm labor, a degenerative or infectious disease in a subject based on the prognostic assay or diagnostic results of the methods of the present disclosure. In particular, a method of treating preterm labor, a degenerative or infectious disease in a subject comprises,

(a) obtaining a biological sample from a subject;

(b) isolating the MOI from the biological sample by using the present device;

(c) determining the expression level of at least one target molecule of the MOI; and (d) treating the subject based on the expression level of the at least one target molecule determined in step (c), and

(d) when the expression level of the at least one target molecule or the ratio of the expression levels of the two target molecules of the MOI is different (i.e., higher or lower) than a reference sample taken from a healthy subject, an effective amount of the therapeutic agent is administered to the subject.

Steps (a) to (c) of the treatment method are similar to the steps of the method described in section 1.1 or 1.2 of the present disclosure, and thus, a detailed description thereof is omitted herein for the sake of brevity.

In step (d), the skilled artisan or clinician may administer an effective amount of a therapeutic agent (e.g., an anti-degenerative or anti-infectious agent) to a subject in need thereof, depending on the expression level as determined in step (c). In particular, as described above, the subject has an expression level of one or more target molecules or a ratio of the expression levels of the two target molecules that is different from the expression level of the reference sample, which is indicative of the subject having or at risk of developing a degenerative or infectious disease; thus, the skilled artisan or clinician can administer appropriate treatments to such subjects, thereby preventing, ameliorating and/or alleviating the occurrence of symptoms associated with a degenerative or infectious disease.

In the present disclosure, a therapeutic agent is administered to a subject having an expression pattern of one or more target molecules in a MOI (e.g., MV) that is different from that of a healthy subject, wherein the therapeutic agent can be an agonist or antagonist that can rescue the expression pattern of the one or more target molecules in the MOI of the subject.

Examples of therapeutic agents that can prevent premature delivery include, but are not limited to, progesterone, corticosteroids, nifedipine, and the like.

Examples of therapeutic agents effective in treating degenerative diseases include, but are not limited to: curcumin; branched chain amino acids (BCAAs, including leucine, isoleucine, and valine); cholinesterase inhibitors (such as donepezil (aricept), galantamine (Razadyne) and rivastigmine (esnerat)); memantine (memantine hydrochloride); omega-3 fatty acids; ginkgo biloba; vitamins (including vitamin a, vitamin C, vitamin D, and vitamin E); levodopa; carbidopa; dopamine agonists (such as pramipexole (Mirapex), ropinirole (Requip), rotigotine (Neupro), and apomorphine (Apokyn)); monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAO inhibitors such as selegiline (Eldepryl, Zelapar), rasagiline (Azilect) and safinamide (Xadago)); catechol O-methyltransferase inhibitors (COMT inhibitors such as entacapone (comban) and tolcapone (mesne)); anticholinergics (such as benztropin (Cogentin) and trihexyphenidyl); and amantadine.

Examples of therapeutic agents effective in treating infection include, but are not limited to, anti-viral antibodies, antibiotics, interferon alpha, aptamers, and the like.

The therapeutic agent may be administered to the subject by a suitable route, for example: topical, mucosal (e.g., intraconjunctival, intranasal, intratracheal), oral, intraspinal (e.g., intrathecal), intravenous, intraarterial, intramuscular, subcutaneous, intraarticular, intraventricular, intracerebroventricular, intraperitoneal, intratumoral, and intraauricular administration.

It is understood that the present methods may be applied to a subject alone or in combination with additional therapies having certain beneficial effects on the treatment of degenerative diseases, infectious diseases, or preterm labor. Depending on the intended purpose, the present methods may be applied to a subject before, during, or after administration of additional therapy.

2.3 use of target molecules

Another aspect of the present disclosure relates to the use of target molecules for use as biomarkers in the manufacture of kits. The use of the present disclosure is characterized in that,

a biomarker is a target molecule expressed in and/or on an MOI; and is

The kit is useful in making a diagnostic or prognostic assay for whether a subject has, or is at risk for developing, pre-term labor, a degenerative or infectious disease; wherein

In the prognostic analysis or diagnosis of preterm labor, the target molecule is selected from the group consisting of: soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase 1(sFlt 1); pregnancy-associated plasma protein a (pappa); IL-6, IL-10, IL-1 ra; and combinations thereof;

in the prognostic analysis or diagnosis of a degenerative disease, the target molecule is selected from the group consisting of: EGF-1, leptin, HB-EGF, EGF-2, VEGF-2, HGF, DPP4, CD90, EphA2, IL-2, IL-12, BDNF, B2M, IGFBP1, IGFBP2, CTGF, NFL, L1CAM, alpha-synuclein, chemokines, IFN-alpha, IFN-gamma, GRO, IL-10, MCP-3, nucleic acids (such as DNA), and combinations thereof;

in a diagnostic or prognostic assay for infectious diseases, the target molecule is NS-1; and is

In the case where the expression level of the target molecule of the MOI or the ratio of the expression levels of the two target molecules is different (i.e., higher or lower) than the ratio of the expression levels of the reference sample obtained from the healthy subject, it is indicative that the subject has, or is at risk of developing, a preterm birth, a degenerative or infectious disease.

The following examples are provided to illustrate certain aspects of the present invention and to assist those skilled in the art in practicing the invention. These examples should in no way be considered as limiting the scope of the invention in any way. Without further elaboration, it is believed that one skilled in the art can, based on the description herein, utilize the present invention to its fullest extent. All publications cited herein are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

Examples

Materials and methods

Determination of proteomic profiles in MOI

By ITRAQ^TM(isobaric labeling for relative and absolute quantification) protein peptides derived from the MOI (i.e., MV or Exo) of urine samples were determined. The protein concentration in each MOI was measured and homogenized prior to study. ITRAQ^TMThe method is a protein quantification method based on peptide labeling with the following compounds: the compounds produce isobaric fragments suitable for comparison of peptides among protein samples obtained according to LC/MS-MS spectroscopy. ITRAQ using Applied Biosystems provided as a set of four isobaric reagents^TMReagent (Applied Biosystems, usa): ITRAQ^TMReagent 114, ITRAQ^TMReagent 115 and ITRAQ^TMReagent 116 and ITRAQ^TMReagent 117, to label the protein of each MOI, four samples were prepared so that 4 plex sample analyses were performed in the LC/MS-MS experiment. Each sample was digested into peptides by trypsin, labeled with a normalized single isobaric fragment, and read by LC/MS-MS analysis.

Measuring E-cadherin levels

The level of E-cadherin in each sample (e.g., cells, MV, Exo and Soln) was determined by mixing with biotin-labeled aptamer (100uM) in 1ml Tris Buffer (TBS) for 2 hours. After washing 3 times in 5ml TBS-Tween 20 (0.1%), the samples were probed with streptavidin-HRP (horseradish peroxidase) solution for 2 hours. After 3 washes in 5ml TBS-tween 200.1%, the samples were placed in HRP substrate reagent and read by myECL Imager equipped with a chemiluminescent exposure screen.

Measurement of neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipoprotein (NGAL) levels

The level of NGAL in each sample (e.g. cells, MV, Exo and Soln) was determined by placing biotin-labelled specific antibodies (1:500) in 1ml Tris Buffer (TBS) for 2 hours followed by 3 washes in 5ml TBS-tween 20, and then probing the samples with streptavidin-HRP (horseradish peroxidase) solution for 2 hours. After 3 washes in 5ml TBS-tween 200.1%, the samples were placed in HRP substrate reagent and read by myECL Imager equipped with a chemiluminescent exposure screen.

Western blot assay

Twenty micrograms of total protein from the MOI of the urine sample was subjected to SDS-PAGE under denaturing conditions. After electrophoresis, the protein gel was transferred to a nitrocellulose membrane by a semi-dry transfer device. The membrane was incubated with skim milk powder to block non-specific binding in Tris buffer (50mM) before incubation with antibody (dilution 1:2,000) or aptamer (100nM, e.g., aptamer of SEQ ID NO: 1 or 2, which are specific for E-cadherin and mucin 5Ac, respectively). After washing with Tris buffer to remove unbound antibodies or aptamers, the expression level of specific proteins was detected via streptavidin-HRP (horseradish peroxidase) chemiluminescence reaction.

Measuring creatinine levels in urine

Biomarker levels in urine can be affected by urine concentration in different physiological states (e.g., fasting or postprandial states), and therefore, urine creatinine levels should be measured to correct and/or compensate for changes due to changes in physiological states. After dissolution in the radioimmunoprecipitation assay buffer (RIPA buffer, Merck KGaA, Darmstadt), the resulting solution is analyzed using a 562nm standard spectrophotometer or microplate reader using Pierce^TMColorimetric detection of BCA protein assay kit (Thermo Fisher Scientific, usa) to measure total protein (e.g., cells, MV, Exo, and Soln) in each sample. Urine creatinine levels were measured by a colorimetric assay kit of alkaline picrate solutions. The urine sample was diluted (dilution 1:20, wherein 10. mu.L of the sample was diluted with 190. mu.L of deionized water), and 50. mu.L of the diluted sample was added to 100. mu.L of an alkaline picric acid salt solution and reacted for 30 minutes. Creatinine concentrations were determined by comparison to a standard curve (0.3mg/dL to 20mg/dL) in optical density at 490nm using a microplate reader (ThermoFisher Scientific, USA).

EXAMPLE 1 construction and testing of the present device

1.1 separation of MOI by means of an apparatus comprising filters in series

In this example, a prototype of the present device was constructed and tested. Briefly, 2 or 3 filters each having a pore size of 0.8 μm, 0.2 μm and/or 0.05 μm are connected in series. The filters are independently designed to capture cells (about 0.8-1 μm in size), microvesicles (about 0.2-0.8 μm in size) and exosomes (about 0.05-0.20 μm in size), and any material not retained by the filters will be collected in the filtrate passing through the device.

First, the biological sample is fed from the inlet of the first filter (0.8 μm) and allowed to drip or push (e.g., via the use of a syringe) through the entire device, collecting the material that is retained in each filter and the final filtrate (i.e., the filtrate of the third filter (0.05 μm)). In addition, the filtrate passing through each filter, as well as the material retained on each filter, is sampled for subsequent quantitative or qualitative analysis.

To test the device, a urine sample (approximately 30mL) was allowed to pass through the device, and the filtrate passing through each filter and the material retained on each filter were collected separately and then analyzed to determine the level of E-cadherin expressed on each set of MOIs isolated by the device. As described in the materials and methods section, the level of E-cadherin is monitored by biotinylated aptamers and amplified by chemiluminescent detection.

It was found that E-cadherin was differentially expressed in cells, microvesicles and exosomes, whereas E-cadherin was not found in the collected filtrates containing soluble macromolecules (fig. 2).

1.2 separation of urine EV by ion chromatography

In this example, an ion exchange column was used to separate the urine EV. Briefly, a urine sample (about 30mL) was passed through an anion exchange column (i.e., AIEX chromatography) and eluted with sodium chloride solution (1M) to obtain EV. The isolated exosomes were confirmed by monitoring CD9 expressed on EV (see fig. 3).

Example 2 expression pattern display of neural specific biomarkers and proteomics among MOI of young and elderly subjects

MOI was isolated from urine samples collected from young (< 30 years) and older (> 60 years) subjects according to the procedure described in example 1.1, except that neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL), neuron-specific enolase (NSE) and neuronal cell adhesion molecule L1(LICAM) expressed in MOI were monitored by biotin-labeled specific antibody, chemiluminescence detection amplification as described in the materials and methods section.

It was found that LICAM is present in Exo and MV and that there is a high level of NSE in older adults but not young adults. Furthermore, NGAL levels in MV were higher in young subjects, whereas in older subjects the amount of NGAL expression was similar and significant among cells, MV and exosomes (fig. 4).

To understand proteomic displays in MV and Exo between young and older subjects, a total of 1902 proteins were identified by iTRAQ (isobaric labeling for relative and absolute quantitation) mass spectrometry, and there were significant differences in expression of 62 proteins between exosomes derived from young (age < 30 years) and older adults (age > 60 years), with the data summarized in table 1.

Table 1 differential display of proteins in MV and Exo between young and elderly subjects

Example 3 differential expression of vascular mediators and cytokines in the MOI of normal or preterm pregnant women

To identify factors that lead to premature infants in pregnant women, the levels of various vascular mediators at various MOIs in urine samples obtained from pregnant women were separately measured, including: soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase 1(sFlt 1); pregnancy-associated plasma protein a (pappa); brain derived neurotrophic factor (BNDF); and insulin-like growth factor binding protein 1(IGFBP 1); and cytokines including IL-6, IL-8, IL-10; C-X-C motif chemokine ligand 13(CXCL 13); and levels of interleukin-1 receptor antagonist (IL 1-ra).

A total of 150 pregnant women were enrolled for this study with prior written consent of the subjects. Urine samples (40 mL each) were collected from pregnant women between weeks 12 and 16 of Gestation (GA), 10 out of 150 pregnant women had preterm birth in zero 5 days of gestation 32 weeks (from zero 5 days of GA 22 weeks to zero 5 days of 35 weeks). These 10 urine samples (i.e., premature women) were matched with another 10 urine samples collected from normal-born women during the same labor period. The MOI (i.e., cells, MV, Exo (EV) and Soln) were isolated from all urine samples (40 mL each) as described in example 1.1.1. Each group of MOIs was then subjected to microfluidic chip assays for determining the respective levels of growth factors (i.e., sFlt1, PAPPA, BDNF, IGFBP1) and cytokines (IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, CXCL13, IL1 ra). The results are depicted in fig. 5.

Cells, MV, Exo and/or Soln isolated from urine samples from preterm (P) pregnant women were found to have higher levels of sFlt1, PAPPA and IL-1ra, and lower levels of IL-10 compared to normal (N) delivered women. sFlt1 levels in all MOIs were significantly higher in the preterm group and IL-10 levels in MV or Exo fractions were significantly lower in the preterm group (see left panel of fig. 5).

In addition, the ratio between growth factors (i.e., sFlt1 and PAPPA) and cytokines (i.e., IL-10), including sFlt1/IL-10, PAPPA/IL-10, and IL-1ra/IL-10, was calculated and depicted in the right panel of FIG. 5. It was found that higher proportions of sFlt1/IL-10, PAPPA/IL-10 or IL-1ra/IL-10 levels represent a higher risk of preterm labor in the woman.

Example 4 differential expression of vascular mediators and/or DNA in the MOI of young and elderly subjects or subjects with Parkinson's Disease (PD)

4.1 differential expression of growth factors in MOI between young and older subjects

In this example, MOI is isolated from a urine sample collected from a young adult subject (i.e., 30 years old) or an older subject (i.e., over 60 years old), and the expression amounts of fibroblast growth factor 1(FGF-1), FGF-2, leptin, heparin-binding EGF-like growth factor (HB-EGF), vascular endothelial growth factor D (VEGF-D), and Hepatocyte Growth Factor (HGF) and DNA are separately determined. The results are shown in fig. 6 and 7.

First, expression of FGF-1, VEGF-D, and HGF was found only in Exo, but not in MV or the filtrate containing soluble macromolecules; meanwhile, the expression of leptin (leptin), FGF-2 and HB-EGF is found in both MV and Exo.

Further analysis showed that older subjects (i.e., AVG-years) had significant amounts of FGF-1 (in MV) and PLGF (in the filtrate containing soluble macromolecules) compared to normal subjects (i.e., AVG-young); however, the expression of FGF-2 (in MV) is higher in young subjects.

4.2 differential expression of growth factors among MOI between older subjects with or without Parkinson's Disease (PD)

In this example, MOI is isolated from a urine sample of an older subject with or without PD, and the expression of FGF-1, HB-EGF and leptin are determined separately. The results are illustrated in fig. 8.

FGF-1 in MV and FGF-2 in Exo were found to be expressed only in normal elderly subjects (i.e., AVG-C), while leptin was only expressed in PD subjects (i.e., AVG-PD). In addition, normal elderly subjects have relatively higher levels of HB-EGF (in MV) compared to PD subjects.

4.3 expression of leucine-rich alpha-2-glycoprotein 1(LRG1) and CD9 in young, elderly and PD subjects

Exosomes were isolated from urine samples of young, elderly and PD subjects, and the levels of LRG1 and CD9 were determined via western blot analysis, respectively. The results are depicted in fig. 9.

The data indicate that the expression levels of exosome CD9 were similar for young (Y) and old (O) adults, but the old adults (over 60 years of age) had a prominent higher level of LRG1 expression. Expression levels of CD9 were similar in PD subjects (i.e., case 1(PD1), case 2(PD2), while levels of LRG1 were lower than in normal older adults (O1, O2, O3, and O4).

4.4 differential DNA levels among MOI of young and older subjects

MOI were isolated from urine samples of young and older adult subjects and from PD subjects according to the procedure of example 1.1, and the total DNA level and the level of 8-hydroxy-2' -deoxyguanosine (8OHdG) as a marker of DNA damage in each MOI were determined. Total DNA levels were determined by Nanodrop spectroscopy and the levels of 8OHdG were determined by enzyme-linked immunoassay according to the protocol provided by the manufacturer (ThermoFisher Scientific, USA).

As a result, older subjects were found to have relatively high total DNA levels in both exosomes and soluble fractions (i.e., fractions comprising soluble macromolecules) (fig. 10). Furthermore, Exo derived from normal elderly subjects had significantly higher 8OHdG levels than MV, but there was no significant difference in 8OHdG levels in MV or Exo between normal elderly subjects and PD subjects (fig. 11).

Example 5 differential expression of NS1 antigen, vascular mediators, and 8OHdG among MOI of dengue infected subjects

According to the procedure of example 1.1, MOI was isolated from urine samples of dengue infected subjects with or without clinical warning signs (e.g., vital sign instability signs, hemoconcentration, thrombocytopenia, etc.) and the levels of dengue virus NS1 antigen, various vascular mediators and 8OHdG were separately determined. The results are shown in fig. 12.

Significant levels of NS1 antigen were found in MV isolated from dengue subjects, and to some extent NS1 antigen was found in the Exo fraction (fig. 12, panel (a)). With respect to expression of vascular mediators, both urine MV and exosomes of dengue subjects had significantly higher levels of EGF, while only urine exosomes had expression of G-CSF (fig. 12, panel (B)). Furthermore, dengue subjects exhibiting clinical warning signs (i.e., AVG-W) had higher levels of leptin (leptin) and VEGF-a, but lower levels of G-CSF (figure 12, panel (C)) compared to dengue subjects without warning signs (i.e., AVG-C). In addition, higher levels of 8OHdG were also found in the MV of dengue subjects compared to normal subjects.

In summary, the present disclosure demonstrates that various biomarkers are differentially expressed on cells, microvesicles, exosomes and soluble fraction in subjects with pathological conditions (e.g., aging, viral infection, degenerative diseases, premature infant birth, etc.). Cells, microvesicles, exosomes and/or soluble factors can be readily isolated by using the devices and/or methods of the present disclosure, allowing such subjects to be readily identified so that appropriate drugs and/or measures can be administered to such subjects to prevent and/or alleviate symptoms associated with the subject's disease condition.

It will be understood that the above description of embodiments is given by way of example only and that various modifications may be made by those skilled in the art. The above specification, examples and data provide a complete description of the structure and use of exemplary embodiments of the invention. Although various embodiments of the present invention have been described above with a certain degree of particularity, or with reference to one or more individual embodiments, those skilled in the art could make numerous alterations to the disclosed embodiments without departing from the spirit or scope of this invention.

Claims

1. An apparatus for separating desired Substances (MOIs) from a biological sample, comprising a cartridge comprising at least one filter configured to retain at least three sets of MOIs having diameter dimensions between 1.0-20 μm, 0.20-1.0 μm, or 0.05-0.20 μm, respectively.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein the filter is a size screening device, a chromatography device, an elutriator, or a porous membrane.

3. The device according to claim 2, wherein the chromatography device is an anion exchange or an affinity chip.

4. The device of claim 2, wherein the filter is a porous membrane.

5. The device of claim 4, wherein the cartridge comprises three filters respectively comprising a plurality of apertures having diameters of about 0.8-1 μ ι η, 0.20-0.22 μ ι η, and 0.03-0.05 μ ι η.

6. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein,

said group of MOIs having a diameter size between 1.0 and 20 μm comprises cells;

said group of MOIs having a diameter size between 0.20-1.0 μm comprises microvesicles; and

the MOI group with a diameter size between 0.05-0.20 μm comprises exosomes.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising,

a first container upstream of the cartridge for containing the biological sample; and

a second vessel downstream of the cartridge for collecting a filtrate comprising soluble molecules having a diameter of less than 0.05 μm.

8. The device of claim 6 or 7, wherein the MOI and soluble molecules each comprise DNA, RNA, proteins, polysaccharides, lipids, or combinations thereof.

9. The device of claim 2, wherein the filter is made of ceramic, resin, metal, polymer, hollow fiber, or a combination thereof.

10. The device of claim 9, wherein the ceramic is made of a material selected from the group consisting of: zeolites, silica, silicon carbide, alumina, aluminum titanate, spinel, mullite, zirconium phosphate, perovskites, and combinations thereof.

11. The device of claim 9, wherein the resin is made of a material selected from the group consisting of: organic compounds, synthetic compounds, and combinations thereof.

12. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the metal is selected from the group consisting of: stainless steel, nickel, aluminum, silver, gold, cadmium, cobalt, iron, molybdenum, niobium, copper, palladium, platinum, rhodium, ruthenium, tantalum, titanium, tungsten, zirconium, alloys, and combinations thereof.

13. The device of claim 9, wherein the polymer is selected from the group consisting of: the polymeric material may be selected from the group consisting of a cellulose, a polyester, a polyether, a polypropylene, a polyamide, a polyimide, a polyurethane, a polytetrafluoroethylene, a polyolefin, a polyurea, a polyesteramide, a polyethylene terephthalate, a polytetrafluoroethylene, a polysiloxane, a polysulfone, a polyester urethane, a polycarbonate, a polyvinyl chloride, and combinations thereof.

14. The device of claim 9, wherein the hollow fibers are carbon fibers, glass fibers, metal fibers, or a combination thereof.

15. A method of isolating a desired substance (MOI) from a urine sample using the device of claim 1, comprising,

(a) passing said urine sample through said cartridge of said device of claim 1 so as to retain at least three sets of MOIs having diameter dimensions of between 1.0-20 μ ι η, 0.20-1.0 μ ι η, or 0.05-0.20 μ ι η, respectively, in said filter;

(c) recovering the MOI from the filter and from the filtrate collected in step (b), respectively.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the filter is a size screening device, a chromatography device, an elutriator, or a porous membrane.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein the MOI recovered from step (c), the filtrate comprising the soluble macromolecule from step (b), or the filter retaining the MOI from step (a) is analyzed by immunoblotting, chip analysis, fluorescence detection, enzymatic or electrochemical reaction to detect at least one biomarker present on or in the MOI.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein the biomarker is any one of: soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase 1(sFlt 1); pregnancy-associated plasma protein a (pappa); brain derived neurotrophic factor (BNDF); and insulin-like growth factor binding protein 1(IGFBP1), IGFBP 2; interleukin-1 (IL-1), IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, IL-12; interleukin 1 receptor antagonist (IL 1-ra); C-X-C motif chemokine ligand 13(CXCL 13); insulin-like growth factor (IGF); insulin-like growth factor receptor 1(IGFR 1); fibroblast growth factor 1(FGF-1), FGF-2; leptin; heparin-binding EGF-like growth factor (HB-EGF); vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGF-A), VEGF-C, VEGF-D; hepatocyte Growth Factor (HGF); e-cadherin; leucine-rich alpha-2-glycoprotein 1(LRG 1); neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL); 8-oxohydroxydeoxyguanosine (8-OHdG); granulocyte colony stimulating factor (G-CSF); alpha-synuclein; l1 cell adhesion molecule (L1 CAM); s100 calbindin A8(S100 A8); β 4 integrin; mucin 5AC (Muc5 AC); amphiregulin (AREG); cell adhesion molecule 1(CADM 1); the COCH gene encodes the protein produced (cochlin); arginase-1 (Arg-1); beta-galactosidase; interferon gamma-induced protein 10 (IP-10); monocyte chemotactic protein 1 (MCP-1); growth regulated alpha protein (GRO- α); syndecan 1, syndecan 4; monocyte chemoattractant protein-3 (MCP-3); tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF α); granulocyte macrophage colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF); macrophage colony stimulating factor (M-CSF); zonulin; neuro-mercerization (NFL); high mobility group protein B1(HMGB 1); or a nucleic acid.