In order to investigate the role of circulating extracellular vesicles (EVs),
proteins, and
microRNAs as damage and repair markers in
ischaemic stroke depending on its topography, subcortical (SC), and cortical-subcortical (CSC) involvement, we quantified the total amount of EVs using an
enzyme-linked
immunosorbent assay technique and analysed their global
protein content using proteomics. We also employed a polymerase chain reaction to evaluate the
circulating microRNA profile. The study included 81 patients with
ischaemic stroke (26 SC and 55 CSC) and 22 healthy controls (HCs). No differences were found in circulating EV levels between the SC, CSC, and HC groups. We detected the specific expression of C1QA and Casp14 in the EVs of patients with CSC
ischaemic stroke and the specific expression of ANXA2 in the EVs of patients with SC involvement. Patients with CSC
ischaemic stroke showed a lower expression of miR-15a, miR-424, miR-100, and miR-339 compared with those with SC
ischaemic stroke, and the levels of miR-339, miR-100, miR-199a, miR-369a, miR-424, and miR-15a were lower than those of the HCs. Circulating EV
proteins and
microRNAs from patients with CSC
ischaemic stroke could be considered markers of neurite outgrowth, neurogenesis,
inflammation process, and
atherosclerosis. On the other hand, EV
proteins and
microRNAs from patients with SC
ischaemic stroke might be markers of an anti-inflammatory process and blood-brain barrier disruption reduction.