Table 2 Published studies using transwell assays to investigate EV-specific intercellular transfer

Transfer P-glycoprotein between cells from human bladder cancer cell line BIU-87

3000 nm

[26] Zhou et al., 2013

Neutral

Transfer was not affected; p-glycoprotein transfer does not require direct cell-to-cell contact

Transfer of HIV-1 viral particles between T cells

3000 nm

[6] Martin et al., 2010

Neutral

Transwell filter allowed HIV-1 viral transfer

Transfer of exosomes from oligodendrocyte to primary cortical neurons

1000 nm

[46] Fruhbeis et al., 2013

Neutral

Transwell filter allowed exosome transfer

Exosome-mediated transfer of EBV-encoded small RNAs between lymphoblasts and dendritic cells

1000 & 400 nm

[20] Zomer et al., 2010

Negative

Decreased small RNA transfer

Transfer of membrane proteins between Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells in culture as well as via 200 nm filtered culture media

450 nm & 200 nm

[8] Niu et al., 2008

Negative

Reduced transfer of membrane proteins

Exosome-mediated transfer of Cy3-labeled microRNAs from leukemia cells to endothelial cells

450 nm

[25] Umezu et al., 2013

Neutral

Transwell filter allowed transfer of miRNAs

Exosome-mediated transfer of Cy3-labeled synthetic 22 bp miRNA, from Burkitt lymphoma B cells to T cells

400 nm

[12] Rechavi et al., 2009

Negative

miRNA transfer was reduced

Transfer of TGFβ-1 from platelets to colon and breast carcinoma cells

400 nm

[23] Labelle et al., 2011

Neutral

Transwell filter allowed transfer

Exosome-mediated transfer of G-protein coupled receptors in U87MG, COS-7 or HEK293T cells

400 nm

[21] Guescini et al., 2012

Neutral

Transwell filter allowed TGFβ-1 transfer

Transfer of anti-miR-9 from MSCs to glioblastoma cells

400 nm

[24] Munoz et al., 2013

Negative

Transfer was reduced from 90% to 16%

Transfer of secretory factors from mesenchymal stem cells to nucleus pulposus cells

400 nm

[22] Hu et al., 2015

Neutral

Transwell filter allowed transfer of secretory factors