RELEASE OF EXTRACELLULAR MEMBRANE PARTICLES CARRYING THE STEM CELL MARKER PROMININ-1 (CD133) FROM NEURAL PROGENITORS AND OTHER EPITHELIAL CELLS

摘要

The present invention relates to an extracellular membrane particle carrying integrated into the membrane prominin-1 molecules. In accordance with the present invention, theses particles also referred to as prominin-1 -containing membrane particles. The membrane particles according to the present invention are distinct from exosomes. The invention in a further aspect relates to a method of diagnosing an epithelial cancer or a hematopoietic disease in a mammal comprising assessing in a body fluid of said mammal for the presence of the extracellular membrane particle of the invention wherein a decreased level of said extracellular membrane particles as compared to a control value is indicative of the presence of an epithelial cancer or a hematopoietic disease. Alternatively, an increased level of said particles is indicative of the presence of such a disease in a mammal. Additionally, the present invention relates to a method of prognosing a solid tumor in a mammal, comprising determining the change in the number of the particles of the invention in a body fluid of said mammal over time. Finally, the present invention relates to a method of diagnosing a degeneration of the retina in a mammal or a predisposition thereto comprising assessing for the presence of prominin-1 on the surface of the particles of the invention in a body fluid from said mammal wherein the absence of said particles or a reduced amount of prominin-1 on the surface of said particles in comparison to a control is indicative of degeneration of the retina or a predisposition thereto.