BACKGROUND

All cells release extracellular vesicles and nanoparticles into the extracellular environment during physiological and pathophysiological processes. Extracellular vesicles are nanosized particles enclosed in a lipid bilayer that are released from cells into the extracellular environment and cannot replicate. They are of two types: vesicles that are free to migrate to other regions of a tissue, or even to other tissues, after their release (media EVs), and vesicles that bind to the extracellular matrix and are less inclined to migrate (matrix-bound EVs). The current model describes the main function of media EVs as participation in paracrine and endocrine cell-cell communication processes, while the main function of matrix-bound EVs as participation in mineralization processes. Recent studies have shown that matrix-bound EVs can also mediate local cell-cell communication processes, opening new perspectives on their biological role. Extracellular nanoparticles include not only well-known entities, such as lipoprotein particles, nucleosomes, and vaults, but also two recently discovered nanoparticles, exosomes and supermeres. Although their biological function is still unclear, exosomes and supermeres are thought to be exclusively capable of migration and their main function is described as participation in cell-cell communication.

DESCRIPTION OF THE EVENT

Due to the success of the 2024 - Conference and School on Extracellular Vesicles and Nanoparticles (CSEVP-2024), the committee has decided to reschedule the event in February 2026. The new event (CSEVP-2026) will have the same format as the previous event, a Conference (February 16-17, Villa Tuscolana, Rome) followed by a School (February 18-20, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome). During the Conference, senior experts will highlight recent advances in understanding the role of extracellular vesicles and nanoparticles in physiological and pathological processes. Afterwards, ample space will be given to young scientists (the "rising stars") to discuss their discoveries in the field with oral contributions and posters. There will also be interventions by private companies. In the following three days, there will be the School with theoretical lectures and practical lessons in the laboratory. The theoretical lectures will cover general aspects, including the classification of extracellular vesicles and isolation techniques, but also more specific and innovative aspects, including MISEV rules and how to study vesicle membrane proteins with innovative techniques (for instance, proximity barcoding assay). Practical lessons will be organized to show students the entire chain of processes needed to isolate and characterize vesicles with equipment brought by private companies. Regarding vesicle isolation, both "classic" techniques (e.g., SEC and TFF) and techniques based on automated equipment/kits (e.g., EXODUS and EXoPERT) will be shown. Regarding vesicle characterization, the School will show students how to characterize physical, biochemical and physicochemical properties using both “classical” techniques (e.g., NTA, TRPS and flow cytometry) and more “innovative” techniques (high resolution microscopy and AFM-based imaging and non-imaging techniques). Compared to the 2024 event, the 2026 event aims to expand the space dedicated to young scientists to allow them to create an international network, which is the basis of a scientific culture without borders. Awards will be made available by the National Societies on extracellular vesicles for the best talk and poster.