MISEV

MISEV stands for Minimal Information for Studies of Extracellular Vesicles. It is a set of guidelines developed by the International Society for Extracellular Vesicles (ISEV) to standardize how extracellular vesicle (EV) research is reported, with the goal of improving rigor, reproducibility, and comparability across studies. The guidelines were first published in 2014 as MISEV2014 and were substantially updated in 2018 under the title MISEV2018, expanding recommendations for characterization, nomenclature, and reporting.

MISEV outlines the minimal information that should be included in EV studies. This includes clear description of the biological source and conditions, sample handling, isolation or enrichment methods, and the analytical procedures used. The guidelines emphasize rigorous vesicle characterization using multiple orthogonal approaches and caution against overreliance on a single technique. They specify a set of positive markers (for example CD9, CD63, CD81, TSG101, Alix, HSP70) and negative controls to assess non-EV contamination. The terminology recommended is extracellular vesicles rather than assuming specific subtypes like exosomes or microvesicles unless provenance and biogenesis are demonstrated. The reporting should cover quantification, size distribution, and purity, as well as the experimental design and detailed methods used.

The impact of MISEV has been significant in the field of EV research, providing a benchmark for publication requirements and encouraging transparency in experimental reporting. While adherence varies, the guidelines remain a reference point for designing studies, interpreting results, and comparing findings across laboratories, and they continue to be updated to reflect methodological advances.