Tumor-derived exosomal miR-1247-3p induces cancer-associated fibroblast activation to foster lung metastasis of liver cancer

The role of extracellular vesicles in circulating tumor cell-mediated distant metastasis

Current research has demonstrated that extracellular vesicles (EVs) and circulating tumor cells (CTCs) are very closely related in the process of distant tumor metastasis. Primary tumors are shed and released into the bloodstream to form CTCs that are referred to as seeds to colonize and grow in soil-like distant target organs, while EVs of tumor and nontumor origin act as fertilizers in the process of tumor metastasis. There is no previous text that provides a comprehensive review of the role of EVs on CTCs during tumor metastasis. In this paper, we reviewed the mechanisms of EVs on CTCs during tumor metastasis, including the ability of EVs to enhance the shedding of CTCs, protect CTCs in circulation and determine the direction of CTC metastasis, thus affecting the distant metastasis of tumors.

Tumor Microenvironment Composition and Related Therapy in Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Globally, primary liver cancer is the third leading cause of cancer death, and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) accounts for 75%-95%. The tumor microenvironment (TME), composed of the extracellular matrix, helper cells, immune cells, cytokines, chemokines, and growth factors, promotes the immune escape, invasion, and metastasis of HCC. Tumor metastasis and postoperative recurrence are the main threats to the long-term prognosis of HCC. TME-related therapies are increasingly recognized as effective treatments. Molecular-targeted therapy, immunotherapy, and their combined therapy are the main approaches. Immunotherapy, represented by immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs), and targeted therapy, highlighted by tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs), have greatly improved the prognosis of HCC. This review focuses on the TME compositions and emerging therapeutic approaches to TME in HCC.

Tumor-derived exosomal linc00881 induces lung fibroblast activation and promotes osteosarcoma lung migration

Osteosarcoma (OS) commonly metastasizes to the lung, yet the underlying molecular mechanisms remain poorly understood. Exosomes play a crucial role in tumor migration, including OS lung migration. However, the underlying mechanism by which exosome-derived long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) contribute to lung migration in osteosarcoma (OS) remains unclear. This study presents a newly discovered lncRNA, linc00881, derived from OS exosomes. Our study shows that linc00881 promotes the migration of OS cells to the lung and induces the conversion of normal lung fibroblasts into cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs). Subsequently, we found that exosomal linc00881 secreted by OS cells can regulate the expression of matrix metalloproteinase 2 (MMP2) in HFL-1 cells by sponging miR-29c-3p, thereby activating the NF-κB signaling in lung fibroblasts. Finally, we discovered that pro-inflammatory cytokines, namely IL-1β, IL-6, and IL-8, were secreted through the linc00881/miR-29c-3p/MMP2 axis. These results suggest that OS-derived exosomes can mediate the intercellular crosstalk between OS cells and lung fibroblasts, ultimately impacting OS lung migration. Our study provides a potential target for the treatment of OS lung migration.

Application of exosomal miRNA mediated macrophage polarization in colorectal cancer: Current progress and challenges

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a major global health problem with high morbidity and mortality rates. Surgical resection is the main treatment for early-stage CRC, but detecting it early is challenging. Therefore, effective therapeutic targets for advanced patients are still lacking. Exosomes, tiny vesicles in body fluids, play a crucial role in tumor metastasis, immune regulation, and drug resistance. Interestingly, they can even serve as a biomarker for cancer diagnosis and prognosis. Studies have shown that exosomes can carry miRNA, mediate the polarization of M1/M2 macrophages, promote the proliferation and metastasis of cancer cells, and affect the prognosis of CRC. Since the gastrointestinal tract has many macrophages, understanding the mechanism behind exosomal miRNA-mediated macrophage polarization in CRC treatment is crucial. This article summarizes recent advancements in the study of exosomal miRNAs in CRC and their potential as diagnostic and prognostic markers.

Colorectal cancer tumor cell-derived exosomal miR-203a-3p promotes CRC metastasis by targeting PTEN-induced macrophage polarization

(1) Background: Tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) are important immunocytes associated with liver metastasis of colorectal cancer (CRLM). However, the molecular processes underpinning the interaction between the TME and the tumour-derived exosomal miRNAs in CRLM are not being fully understood; (2) Methods: Transmission electron microscopy was utilized to confirm the existence of exosomes after differential ultracentrifugation. To determine the roles of exosomal miR-203a-3p, an in vivo and in vitro investigation was conducted. The mechanism by which exosomal miR-203a-3p governs the interaction between CRC cells and M2 macrophages was investigated using a dual-luciferase reporter assay, western blot, and other techniques; (3) Results: Overexpression of miR-203a-3p was associated with poor prognosis and liver metastasis in CRC patients. Exosomal miR-203a-3p was upregulated in the plasma of CRC patients and highly metastatic CRC cells HCT116, and it could be transported to macrophages via exosomes. Exosomal miR-203a-3p induced M2 polarization of macrophages by controlling PTEN and activating the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway. M2-polarized macrophages secreted the CXCL12, which increased cancer metastasis and resulted in pre-metastatic niches in CRLM by CXCL12/CXCR4/NF-κB signaling pathway. Co-culture of macrophages with miR-203a-3p-transfected or exosome-treated cells increased the ability of HCT116 cells to metastasize both in vitro and in vivo; (4) Conclusions: Exosomes produced by highly metastatic CRC cells and rich in miR-203a-3p may target PTEN and alter the TME, promoting liver metastasis in CRC patients. These findings offer fresh understanding of the liver metastatic process in CRC.

Stemness genes and miR-1247-3p expression associate with clinicopathological parameters and prognosis in lung adenocarcinoma

Lung cancer makes up one-fourth of all cancer-related mortality with the highest mortality rate among all cancers. Despite recent scientific advancements in cancer therapeutics, the 5-year survival rate of lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) cancer patients remains below 15 percent. It has been suggested that the high mortality rate of LUAD is linked to the acquisition of progenitor-like cells with stem-like characteristics that assist the whole tumor in regulating immune cell infiltration. To examine this hypothesis further, this study mined several databases to explore the presence of stemness-related genes and miRNAs in LUAD cancers. We examine their association with immune and accessory cell infiltration rates and patient survival. We found 3 stem cell-related genes, ORC1L, KIF20A, and DLGAP5, present in LUAD that also correlate with changes in immune infiltration rates and reduced patient survival rates. Additionally, the modulation in myeloid-derived suppressor cell (MDSC) infiltration and miRNA hsa-mir-1247-3p mediated targeting of tumor suppressor SLC24A4 and oncogenes RAB3B and HJURP appears to primarily regulate LUAD patient survival. Given these findings, hsa-mir-1247-3p and/or its associated gene targets may offer a promising avenue to enhance patient survivability.

Bone Marrow Mesenchymal Stem Cells Release miR-378a-5p-Carried Extracellular Vesicles to Alleviate Rheumatoid Arthritis

This study investigates whether bone marrow mesenchymal stem cell (BMSC)-derived extracellular vesicles (EVs) can affect rheumatoid arthritis (RA) by delivering microRNA (miR)-378a-5p to regulate the interferon regulatory factor 1/signal transducer and transcription 1 (IRF1/STAT1) axis. We identified RA-associated miRNAs using the GEO microarray dataset GSE121894. We found the most important miRNAs in RA synovial tissues using RT-qPCR. BMSC-derived EVs were ultracentrifuged and cocultured with human synovial microvascular endothelial cells (HSMECs) in vitro. Dual-luciferase and RNA immunoprecipitation studies examined miR-378a-5p's specific binding to IRF1. We also measured angiogenesis, migration, and proliferation using CCK-8, Transwell, and tube formation assays. Collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) mice models were created by inducing arthritis and scoring it. RA synovial tissues had low miR-378a-5p expression, whereas BMSC-derived EVs had high levels. The transfer of miR-378a-5p by BMSC-derived EVs to HSMECs boosted proliferation, migration, and angiogenesis. miR-378a-5p inhibited IRF1. MiR-378a-5p-containing BMSC-derived EVs decreased STAT1 phosphorylation and HSMEC IRF1 expression. EVs with miR-378a-5p mimic promoted HSMEC proliferation, migration, and angiogenesis, whereas dexmedetomidine inhibited STAT1 phosphorylation. In CIA mice, BMSC-derived EVs containing miR-378a-5p enhanced synovial vascular remodeling and histopathology. Thus, miR-378a-5p from BMSC-derived EVs promotes HSMEC proliferation, migration, and angiogenesis, inactivating the IRF1/STAT1 axis and preventing RA.

miR-135a-5p overexpression in peripheral blood-derived exosomes mediates vascular injury in type 2 diabetes patients

Objective

Diabetes pathology relies on exosomes (Exos). This study investigated how peripheral blood Exo-containing microRNAs (miRNAs) cause vascular injury in type 2 diabetes (T2D).

Methods

We removed DEmiRNA from T2D chip data from the GEO database. We isolated Exo from 15 peripheral blood samples from T2D patients and 15 healthy controls and measured Exo DEmiRNA levels. We employed the intersection of Geneards and mirWALK database queries to find T2D peripheral blood mRNA-related chip target genes. Next, we created a STRING database candidate target gene interaction network map. Next, we performed GO and KEGG enrichment analysis on T2D-related potential target genes using the ClusterProfiler R package. Finally, we selected T2D vascular damage core genes and signaling pathways using GSEA and PPI analysis. Finally, we used HEK293 cells for luciferase assays, co-cultured T2D peripheral blood-derived Exo with HVSMC, and detected HVSMC movement alterations.

Results

We found 12 T2D-related DEmiRNAs in GEO. T2D patient-derived peripheral blood Exo exhibited significantly up-regulated miR-135a-3p by qRT-PCR. Next, we projected miR-135a-3p's downstream target mRNA and screened 715 DEmRNAs to create a regulatory network diagram. DEmRNAs regulated biological enzyme activity and vascular endothelial cells according to GO function and KEGG pathway analysis. ErbB signaling pathway differences stood out. PPI network study demonstrated that DEmRNA ATM genes regulate the ErbB signaling pathway. The luciferase experiment validated miR-135a-3p and ATM target-binding. Co-culture of T2D patient-derived peripheral blood Exo with HVSMC cells increases HVSMC migration, ErbB2, Bcl-2, and VEGF production, and decreases BAX and ATM. However, miR-135a-3p can reverse the production of the aforesaid functional proteins and impair HVSMC cell movement.

Conclusion

T2D patient-derived peripheral blood Exo carrying miR-135a-3p enter HVSMC, possibly targeting and inhibiting ATM, activating the ErbB signaling pathway, promoting abnormal HVSMC proliferation and migration, and aggravating vascular damage.

Fluorocarbon Modified Chitosan to Enable Transdermal Immunotherapy for Melanoma Treatment

Despite the rapid development of the immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) in melanoma treatment, the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment (TME) still hinders the efficacy of immunotherapy. Recently, using agonists to modulate the TME have presented promising clinical responses in combination with ICB therapies. However, local intratumoral injection as the commonly used administration route for immune agonists would lead to low patient compliance. Herein, it is demonstrated that fluorocarbon modified chitosan (FCS) can self-assemble with immune adjuvant polyriboinosinic:polyribocytidylic acid (poly(I:C)), forming nanoparticles that can penetrate through cutaneous barriers to enable transdermal delivery. FCS/poly(I:C) can efficiently activate various types of cells presented on the transdermal route (through the skin into the TME), leading to IRF3-mediated IFN-β induction in the activated cells for tumor repression. Furthermore, transdermal FCS/poly(I:C) treatment can significantly magnify the efficacy of the programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1) blockade in melanoma treatment through activating the immunosuppressive TME. This study approach offered an attractive transdermal approach in combined with ICB therapy for combined immunotherapy, particularly suitable for melanoma treatment.

M2 macrophage-secreted exosomes promote metastasis and increase vascular permeability in hepatocellular carcinoma

BACKGROUND

Metastasis is a key feature of malignant tumors and significantly contributes to their high mortality, particularly in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Therefore, it is imperative to explore the mechanism of tumor metastasis. Recently, tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) have been demonstrated to promote tumor progression, while TAM-derived molecules involved in HCC metastasis warrant further investigation.

METHODS

THP-1 was treated with IL-4 (Interleukin-4) and IL-13 (Interleukin-13) for M2 polarized macrophages. Exosomes derived from M2 macrophages were characterized. Then, HCC cells or human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) were co-cultured with M2 macrophages or treated with M2 macrophage-secreted exosomes. Next, Transwell®, Scratch assay, tube formation, and endothelial permeability assays were performed. Moreover, RT-PCR, western blotting, immunofluorescence, and ELISA were used to assess mRNA and protein expression levels. Finally, the miRNA expression profiles of exosomes derived from M2 and M0 macrophages were analyzed.

RESULTS

M2 macrophage infiltration was correlated with metastasis and a poor prognosis in HCC patients. M2-derived exosomes were absorbed by HCC and HUVEC cells and promoted the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), vascular permeability, and angiogenesis. Notably, MiR-23a-3p levels were significantly higher in M2-derived exosomes and hnRNPA1 mediated miR-23a-3p packaging into exosomes. Phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN) and tight junction protein 1 (TJP1) were the targets of miR-23a-3p, as confirmed by luciferase reporter assays. Lastly, HCC cells co-cultured with M2-derived exosomes secreted more GM-CSF, VEGF, G-CSF, MCP-1, and IL-4, which in turn further recruited M2 macrophages.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings suggest that M2 macrophage-derived miR-23a-3p enhances HCC metastasis by promoting EMT and angiogenesis, as well as increasing vascular permeability. Video Abstract.

Foldback-crRNA-Enhanced CRISPR/Cas13a System (FCECas13a) Enables Direct Detection of Ultrashort sncRNA

The CRISPR/Cas13a system has promising applications in clinical small noncoding RNA (sncRNA) detection because it is free from the interference of genomic DNA. However, detecting ultrashort sncRNAs (less than 20 nucleotides) has been challenging because the Cas13a nuclease requires longer crRNA-target RNA hybrids to be activated. Here, we report the development of a foldback-crRNA-enhanced CRISPR/Cas13a (FCECas13a) system that overcomes the limitations of the current CRISPR/Cas13a system in detecting ultrashort sncRNAs. The FCECas13a system employs a 3'-terminal foldback crRNA that hybridizes with the target ultrashort sncRNA, forming a double strand that "tricks" the Cas13a nuclease into activating the HEPN structural domain and generating trans-cleavage activity. The FCECas13a system can accurately detect miRNA720 (a sncRNA currently known as tRNA-derived small RNA), which is only 17 nucleotides long and has a concentration as low as 15 fM within 20 min. This FCECas13a system opens new avenues for ultrashort sncRNA detection with significant implications for basic biological research, disease prognosis, and molecular diagnosis.

Function and biomedical implications of exosomal microRNAs delivered by parenchymal and nonparenchymal cells in hepatocellular carcinoma

Small extracellular vesicles (exosomes) are important components of the tumor microenvironment. They are small membrane-bound vesicles derived from almost all cell types and play an important role in intercellular communication. Exosomes transmit biological molecules obtained from parent cells, such as proteins, lipids, and nucleic acids, and are involved in cancer development. MicroRNAs (miRNAs), the most abundant contents in exosomes, are selectively packaged into exosomes to carry out their biological functions. Recent studies have revealed that exosome-delivered miRNAs play crucial roles in the tumorigenesis, progression, and drug resistance of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). In addition, exosomes have great industrial prospects in the diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis of patients with HCC. This review summarized the composition and function of exosomal miRNAs of different cell origins in HCC and highlighted the association between exosomal miRNAs from stromal cells and immune cells in the tumor microenvironment and the progression of HCC. Finally, we described the potential applicability of exosomal miRNAs derived from mesenchymal stem cells in the treatment of HCC.

Role of exosomes in the development, diagnosis, prognosis and treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most common primary liver cancer. It is characterized by occult onset resulting in most patients being diagnosed at advanced stages and with poor prognosis. Exosomes are nanoscale vesicles with a lipid bilayer envelope released by various cells under physiological and pathological conditions, which play an important role in the biological information transfer between cells. There is growing evidence that HCC cell-derived exosomes may contribute to the establishment of a favorable microenvironment that supports cancer cell proliferation, invasion, and metastasis. These exosomes not only provide a versatile platform for diagnosis but also serve as a vehicle for drug delivery. In this paper, we review the role of exosomes involved in the proliferation, migration, and metastasis of HCC and describe their application in HCC diagnosis and treatment. We also discuss the prospects of exosome application in HCC and the research challenges.

JMJD3 and SNAI2 synergistically protect against Parkinson's disease by mediating the YAP/HIF1α signaling pathway in a mouse model

This study aimed to characterize the functional relevance and mechanistic basis of the histone demethylase Jumonji domain-containing protein-3 (JMJD3) in preserving dopaminergic neuron survival in Parkinson's disease (PD). Mice with 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP)-induced lesions and MN9D dopaminergic neuronal cell lines exposed to 6-OHDA, respectively, were used to simulate in vivo and in vitro PD-like environments. PD-related genes with differential expressions were identified using RNA sequencing of hippocampal tissues collected from MPTP-lesioned mice. A specific lentiviral shRNA vector was used to investigate the effects of JMJD3 on neuron activities in vitro and PD-like phenotypes in vivo. JMJD3 was found to up-regulate the expression of Snail family transcriptional repressor 2 (SNAI2) through the inhibition of H3 on lysine 27 (H3K27me3) enrichment in the SNAI2 promoter region. As a result, the viability of 6-OHDA-exposed MN9D cells was stimulated, and cell apoptosis was diminished. Knockdown of SNAI2 decreased the expression of yes-associated protein (YAP) and HIF1α while also reducing the viability of 6-OHDA-exposed MN9D cells and increasing cell apoptosis. The in vivo experiments demonstrated that JMJD3 activated the SNAI2/YAP/HIF1α signaling pathway, inhibiting PD-like phenotypes in MPTP-lesioned mice. Thus, the findings provide evidence that JMJD3 inhibits the enrichment of H3K27me3 at the SNAI2 promoter, leading to the upregulation of SNAI2 expression and activation of the YAP/HIF1α signaling pathway, ultimately exerting a protective effect on PD mice. This finding suggests that targeting the JMJD3-SNAI2 pathway could be a promising therapeutic strategy for PD. Further in-depth studies are needed to elucidate the underlying mechanisms and identify potential downstream targets of this pathway.

A novel STAT3/ NFκB p50 axis regulates stromal-KDM2A to promote M2 macrophage-mediated chemoresistance in breast cancer

BACKGROUND

Lysine Demethylase 2A (KDM2A) plays a crucial role in cancer cell growth, differentiation, metastasis, and the maintenance of cancer stemness. Our previous study found that cancer-secreted IL-6 can upregulate the expression of KDM2A to promote further the transition of cells into cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs). However, the molecular mechanism by which breast cancer-secreted IL-6 regulates the expression of KDM2A remains unclear. Therefore, this study aimed to elucidate the underlying molecular mechanism of IL-6 in regulating KDM2A expression in CAFs and KDM2A-mediated paclitaxel resistance in breast cancer.

METHODS

The ectopic vector expression and biochemical inhibitor were used to analyze the KDM2A expression regulated by HS-578 T conditioned medium or IL-6 in mammary fibroblasts. Immunoprecipitation and chromatin immunoprecipitation assays were conducted to examine the interaction between STAT3 and NFκB p50. M2 macrophage polarization was assessed by analyzing M2 macrophage-specific markers using flow cytometry and RT-PCR. ESTIMATE algorithm was used to analyze the tumor microenvironment-dominant breast cancer samples from the TCGA database. The correlation between stromal KDM2A and CD163 + M2 macrophages was analyzed using the Pearson correlation coefficient. Cell viability was determined using trypan blue exclusion assay.

RESULTS

IL-6 regulates gene expression via activation and dimerization of STAT3 or collaboration of STAT3 and NFκB. However, STAT3, a downstream transcription factor of the IL-6 signaling pathway, was directly complexed with NFκB p50, not NFκB p65, to upregulate the expression of KDM2A in CAFs. Enrichment analysis of immune cells/stromal cells using TCGA-breast cancer RNA-seq data unveiled a positive correlation between stromal KDM2A and the abundance of M2 macrophages. CXCR2-associated chemokines secreted by KDM2A-expressing CAFs stimulated M2 macrophage polarization, which in turn secreted CCL2 to increase paclitaxel resistance in breast cancer cells by activating CCR2 signaling.

CONCLUSION

This study revealed the non-canonical molecular mechanism of IL-6 secreted by breast cancer upregulated KDM2A expression in CAFs via a novel STAT3/NFκB p50 axis, which STAT3 complexed with NFκB p50 in NFκB p50 binding motif of KDM2A promoter. KDM2A-expressing CAFs dominantly secreted the CXCR2-associated chemokines to promote M2 macrophage polarization and enhance paclitaxel resistance in breast cancer. These findings underscore the therapeutic potential of targeting the CXCR2 or CCR2 pathway as a novel strategy for paclitaxel-resistant breast cancer.

Beta-1,4-galactosyltransferase-3 deficiency suppresses the growth of immunogenic tumors in mice

Background

Beta-1,4-galactosyltransferase-3 (B4GALT3) belongs to the family of beta-1,4-galactosyltransferases (B4GALTs) and is responsible for the transfer of UDP-galactose to terminal N-acetylglucosamine. B4GALT3 is differentially expressed in tumors and adjacent normal tissues, and is correlated with clinical prognosis in several cancers, including neuroblastoma, cervical cancer, and bladder cancer. However, the exact role of B4GALT3 in the tumor immune microenvironment (TIME) remains unclear. Here, we aimed to elucidate the function of B4GALT3 in the TIME.

Methods

To study the functions of B4GALT3 in cancer immunity, either weakly or strongly immunogenic tumor cells were subcutaneously transplanted into wild-type (WT) and B4galt3 knockout (KO) mice. Bone marrow transplantation and CD8+ T cell depletion experiments were conducted to elucidate the role of immune cells in suppressing tumor growth in B4galt3 KO mice. The cell types and gene expression in the tumor region and infiltrating CD8+ T cells were analyzed using flow cytometry and RNA sequencing. N-glycosylated proteins from WT and B4galt3 KO mice were compared using the liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS)-based glycoproteomic approach.

Results

B4galt3 KO mice exhibited suppressed growth of strongly immunogenic tumors with a notable increase in CD8+ T cell infiltration within tumors. Notably, B4galt3 deficiency led to changes in N-glycan modification of several proteins, including integrin alpha L (ITGAL), involved in T cell activity and proliferation. In vitro experiments suggested that B4galt3 KO CD8+ T cells were more susceptible to activation and displayed increased downstream phosphorylation of FAK linked to ITGAL.

Conclusion

Our study demonstrates that B4galt3 deficiency can potentially boost anti-tumor immune responses, largely through enhancing the influx of CD8+ T cells. B4GALT3 might be suppressing cancer immunity by synthesizing the glycan structure of molecules on the CD8+ T cell surface, as evidenced by the changes in the glycan structure of ITGAL in immune cells. Importantly, B4galt3 KO mice showed no adverse effects on growth, development, or reproduction, underscoring the potential of B4GALT3 as a promising and safe therapeutic target for cancer treatment.

Role of exosomes in transferring chemoresistance through modulation of cancer glycolytic cell metabolism

Chemoresistance constitute a major obstacle in cancer treatment, leading to limited options and decreased patient survival. Recent studies have revealed a novel mechanism of chemoresistance acquisition: the transfer of information via exosomes, small vesicles secreted by various cells. Exosomes play a crucial role in intercellular communication by carrying proteins, nucleic acids, and metabolites, influencing cancer cell behavior and response to treatment. One crucial mechanism of resistance is cancer metabolic reprogramming, which involves alterations in the cellular metabolic pathways to support the survival and proliferation of drug-resistant cancer cells. This metabolic reprogramming often includes increased glycolysis, providing cancer cells with the necessary energy and building blocks to evade the effects of chemotherapy. Notably, exosomes have been found to transport glycolytic enzymes, as identified in proteomic profiling, leading to the reprogramming of metabolic pathways, facilitating altered glucose metabolism and increased lactate production. As a result, they profoundly impact the tumor microenvironment, promoting tumor progression, survival, immune evasion, and drug resistance.Understanding the complexities of such exosome-mediated cell-to-cell communication might open new therapeutic avenues and facilitate biomarker development in managing cancers characterized by aggressive glycolytic features. Moreover, given the intricate nature of metabolic abnormalities combining future exosome-based-targeted therapies with existing treatments like chemotherapy, immunotherapy, and targeted therapies holds promise for achieving synergistic effects to overcome resistance and improve cancer treatment outcomes.

Circulating exosomes from brain death and cardiac death donors have distinct molecular and immunologic properties: A pilot study

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Comparison of donation after brain death (DBD) and donation after cardiac death (DCD) lung tissue before transplantation have demonstrated activation of pro-inflammatory cytokine pathway in DBD donors. The molecular and immunological properties of circulating exosomes from DBD and DCD donors were not previously described.

METHODS

We collected plasma from 18 deceased donors (12 DBD and six DCD). Cytokines were analyzed by 30-Plex luminex Panels. Exosomes were analyzed for liver self-antigen (SAg), Transcription Factors and HLA class II (HLA-DR/DQ) using western blot. C57BL/6 animals were immunized with isolated exosomes to determine strength and magnitude of immune responses. Interferon (IFN)-γ and tumor necrosis factor-α producing cells were quantified by ELISPOT, specific antibodies to HLA class II antigens were measured by ELISA RESULTS: We demonstrate increased plasma levels of IFNγ, EGF, EOTAXIN, IP-10, MCP-1, RANTES, MIP-β, VEGF, and interleukins - 6/8 in DBD plasma versus DCD. MiRNA isolated from exosome of DBD donors demonstrated significant increase in miR-421, which has been reported to correlate with higher level of Interleukin-6. Higher levels of liver SAg Collagen III (p = .008), pro-inflammatory transcription factors (NF-κB, p < .05; HIF1α, p = .021), CIITA (p = .011), and HLA class II (HLA-DR, p = .0003 and HLA-DQ, p = .013) were detected in exosomes from DBD versus DCD plasma. The circulating exosomes isolated from DBD donors were immunogenic in mice and led to the development of Abs to HLA-DR/DQ.

CONCLUSIONS

This study provides potential new mechanisms by which DBD organs release exosomes that can activate immune pathways leading to cytokine release and allo-immune response.

Hypoxic papillary thyroid carcinoma cells-secreted exosomes deliver miR-221-3p to normoxic tumor cells to elicit a pro-tumoral effect by regulating the ZFAND5

Papillary thyroid cancer (PTC) has seen a worldwide expansion in incidence in the past three decades. Tumor-derived exosomes have been associated with the metastasis of cancer cells and are present within the local hypoxic tumor microenvironment, where they mediate intercellular communication by transferring molecules including microRNAs (miRNAs) between cells. Although miRNAs have been shown to serve as non-invasive biomarkers for cancer diagnosis, the role of hypoxia-induced tumor-derived exosomes in PTC progression remains unclear. Herein, we investigated the differentially expressed miRNA expression profiles from GEO datasets (GSE191117 and GSE151180) by using the DESeq package in R and identified a novel role for miR-221-3p as an oncogene in PTC development. In vivo and in vitro loss and gain assays were used to clarify the mechanism of hypoxic PTC cells derived exosomal-miR-221-3p in PTC. miR-221-3p was upregulated in human PTC plasma exosomes, tissues and cell lines. We found that hypoxic PTC cells derived exosomal-miR-221-3p promoted normoxic PTC cells proliferation, migration, invasion and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in vitro, while inhibition of miR-221-3p limited PTC tumor growth in our PTC xenograft model in nude mice. We finally identified ZFAND5, to be a miR-221-3p target. Mechanistically, hypoxic PTC cell lines-derived exosomes carrying miR-221-3p promoted PTC tumorigenesis by regulating ZFAND5. Our findings further the understanding of the underlying mechanisms associated with PTC progression and identify exosomal-miR-221-3p as a potential biomarker for the diagnosis and prognosis of PTC patients. Our study also suggests that miR-221-3p inhibitors could be a potential treatment strategy for PTC.

Extracellular vesicles: Emerging mediators of cell communication in gastrointestinal cancers exhibiting metabolic abnormalities

There is a complex interaction between pro-tumoural and anti-tumoural networks in the tumour microenvironment (TME). Throughout tumourigenesis, communication between malignant cells and various cells of the TME contributes to metabolic reprogramming. Tumour Dysregulation of metabolic pathways offer an evolutional advantage in the TME and enhance the tumour progression, invasiveness, and metastasis. Therefore, understanding these interactions within the TME is crucial for the development of innovative cancer treatments. Extracellular vesicles (EVs) serve as carriers of various materials that include microRNAs, proteins, and lipids that play a vital role in the communication between tumour cells and non-tumour cells. EVs are actively involved in the metabolic reprogramming process. This review summarized recent findings regarding the involvement of EVs in the metabolic reprogramming of various cells in the TME of gastrointestinal cancers. Additionally, we highlight identified microRNAs involved in the reprogramming process in this group of cancers and explained the abnormal tumour metabolism targeted by exosomal cargos as well as the novel potential therapeutic approaches.

Serum exosomal m6A demethylase FTO promotes gefitinib resistance in non-small cell lung cancer by up-regulating FLRT3, PTGIS and SIRPα expression

This study investigates the molecular mechanism of FTO m6A demethylase in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and gefitinib resistance using GEO and TCGA databases. Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were screened from RNA-seq data sets of serum exosomes of gefitinib-resistant NSCLC patients in the GEO database and the NSCLC data set in the GEPIA2 database. From this analysis, FTO m6A demethylase was found to be significantly upregulated in the serum exosomes of gefitinib-resistant NSCLC patients. To identify downstream genes affected by FTO m6A demethylase, weighted correlation network analysis and differential expression analysis were performed, resulting in the identification of three key downstream genes (FLRT3, PTGIS, and SIRPA). Using these genes, the authors constructed a prognostic risk assessment model. Patients with high-risk scores exhibited a significantly worse prognosis. The model could predict the prognosis of NSCLC with high accuracy measured by AUC values of 0.588, 0.608, and 0.603 at 1, 3, and 5 years respectively. Furthermore, m6A sites were found in FLRT3, PTGIS, and SIRPA genes, and FTO was significantly positively correlated with the expression of these downstream genes. Overall, FTO m6A demethylase promotes gefitinib resistance in NSCLC patients by upregulating downstream FLRT3, PTGIS, and SIRPA expression, with these three downstream genes serving as strong prognostic indicators.

Research trends and hotspots of exosomes in respiratory diseases

Currently, theoretical studies on exosomes in respiratory diseases have received much attention from many scholars and have made remarkable progress, which has inestimable value and potential in future clinical and scientific research. Unfortunately, no scholar has yet addressed this field's bibliometric analysis and summary. We aim to comprehensively and profoundly study and explore the present situation and highlights of exosome research at the stage of respiratory diseases and to provide meaningful insights for the future development of this field. The WOSCC literature was gathered for the study using bibliometrics, and the data were collected and analyzed using CiteSpace, VOSviewer, Microsoft Excel, and Endnote software. The publication language is "English," and the search strategy is TS = (exosome OR exosomes OR exosomal) AND TS = (respiratory OR lung). The search time is from the beginning of the WOS construction, and the deadline is July 11, 2022, at 22:00 hours. The literature types selected were dissertation, review paper, and online published paper. The analysis includes 2456 publications in 738 journals from 76 countries, 2716 institutions, and 14,568 authors. The field's annual publications have been rising, especially in recent years. China and the US lead research, and prominent universities, including Harvard Medical School, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, and Fudan University, are essential research institutes. Takahiro Ochiya, whose research focuses on exosomes and lung cancer, and Clotilde Théry, a pioneering exosome researcher, are the most cited authors in this field. The key terms include lung cancer, non-small cell lung cancer, mesenchymal stem cells, intercellular communication, exosomal miRNAs, and oncology. Cell biology, biochemistry & biotechnology, and oncology are related fields. The final summary of research hotspots is exosomes and lung cancer, mesenchymal stem cell-derived exosomes and lung inflammation, and miRNAs in exosomes as biomarkers for respiratory illnesses. The present research situation and relevant hotspots of the area were analyzed through bibliometric studies on exosomes in respiratory diseases. The research development in this field has a considerable upside, and the exosome's function in diagnosing, treating, monitoring, and prognosis of respiratory illnesses cannot be taken lightly. Moreover, we believe the research results will bring the gospel to many patients with clinical respiratory diseases shortly.

Dual mechanism of Let-7i in tumor progression

Let-7i regulates tumors primarily by binding to the 3' untranslated region (3' UTR) of mRNA, which indirectly regulates post-transcriptional gene expression. Let-7i also has an epigenetic function via modulating DNA methylation to directly regulate gene expression. Let-7i performs a dual role by inducing both the promotion and inhibition of various malignancies, depending on its target. The mechanism of Let-7i action involves cancer cell proliferation, migration, invasion, apoptosis, epithelial-mesenchymal transition, EV transmission, angiogenesis, autophagy, and drug resistance sensitization. Let-7i is closely related to cancer, and hence, is a potential biomarker for the diagnosis and prognosis of various cancers. Therapeutically, it can be used to promote an anti-cancer immune response by modifying exosomes, thus exerting a tumor-suppressive effect.

Exosome Cargos as Biomarkers for Diagnosis and Prognosis of Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most common cancers worldwide. Due to the insidiousness of HCC onset and the lack of specific early-stage markers, the early diagnosis and treatment of HCC are still unsatisfactory, leading to a poor prognosis. Exosomes are a type of extracellular vesicle containing various components, which play an essential part in the development, progression, and metastasis of HCC. A large number of studies have demonstrated that exosomes could serve as novel biomarkers for the diagnosis of HCC. These diagnostic components mainly include proteins, microRNAs, long noncoding RNAs, and circular RNAs. The exosome biomarkers showed high sensitivity and high specificity in distinguishing HCC from health controls and other liver diseases, such as chronic HBV and liver cirrhosis. The expression of these biomarkers also exhibits correlations with various clinical factors such as tumor size, TMN stage, overall survival, and recurrence rate. In this review, we summarize the function of exosomes in the development of HCC and highlight their application as HCC biomarkers for diagnosis and prognosis prediction.

Exo-miR-1290-induced by COX-2 overexpression promotes cancer-associated fibroblasts activation and tumor progression by CUL3-Nrf2 pathway in lung adenocarcinoma

BACKGROUND

Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) are critically involved in tumor progression by maintaining extracellular mesenchyma (ECM) production and improving tumor development. Cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) has been proved to promote ECM formation and tumor progression. However, the mechanisms of COX-2 mediated CAFs activation have not yet been elucidated. Therefore, we conducted this study to identify the effects and mechanisms of COX-2 underlying CAFs activation by tumor-derived exosomal miRNAs in lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) progression.

METHODS

As measures of CAFs activation, the expressions of fibroblasts activated protein-1 (FAP-1) and α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), the main CAFs markers, were detected by Western blotting and Immunohistochemistry. And the expression of Fibronectin (FN1) was used to analyze ECM production by CAFs. The exosomes were extracted by ultracentrifugation and exo-miRNAs were detected by qRT-PCR. Herein, we further elucidated the implicated mechanisms using online prediction software, luciferase reporter assays, co-immunoprecipitation, and experimental animal models.

RESULTS

In vivo, a positive correlation was observed between the COX-2 expression levels in parenchyma and α-SMA/FN1 expression levels in mesenchyma in LUAD. However, PGE2, one of major product of COX-2, did not affect CAFs activation directly. COX-2 overexpression increased exo-miR-1290 expression, which promoted CAFs activation. Furthermore, Cullin3 (CUL3), a potential target of miR-1290, was found to suppress COX-2/exo-miR-1290-mediated CAFs activation and ECM production, consequently impeding tumor progression. CUL3 is identified to induce the Nuclear Factor Erythroid 2-Related Factor 2 (NFE2L2, Nrf2) ubiquitination and degradation, while exo-miR-1290 can prevent Nrf2 ubiquitination and increase its protein stability by targeting CUL3. Additionally, we identified that Nrf2 is direcctly bound with promoters of FAP-1 and FN1, which enhanced CAFs activation by promoting FAP-1 and FN1 transcription.

CONCLUSIONS

Our data identify a new CAFs activation mechanism by exosomes derived from cancer cells that overexpress COX-2. Specifically, COX-2/exo-miR-1290/CUL3 is suggested as a novel signaling pathway for mediating CAFs activation and tumor progression in LUAD. Consequently, this finding suggests a novel strategy for cancer treatment that may tackle tumor progression in the future. Video Abstract.

Hypoxia-induced exosomes facilitate lung pre-metastatic niche formation in hepatocellular carcinoma through the miR-4508-RFX1-IL17A-p38 MAPK-NF-κB pathway

Background: Hypoxia plays an important role in the lung metastasis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, the process by which hypoxia promotes the formation of a pre-metastatic niche (PMN) and its underlying mechanism remain unclear. Methods: Exosomes derived from normoxic and hypoxic HCC cells were collected to induce fibroblast activation in vitro and PMN formation in vivo. The micro RNA (miR) profiles of the exosomes were sequenced to identify differentially expressed miRNAs. Gain- and loss-of-function analyses were performed to investigate miR-4508 function. Dual-luciferase, western blotting, and real-time reverse transcription-PCR analyses were used to identify the direct targets of miR-4508 and its downstream signaling pathways. To demonstrate the roles of hypoxic tumor-derived exosomes (H-TDEs) and miR-4508 in the lung metastasis of liver cancer, H22 tumor cells were injected through the tail vein of mice. Blood plasma-derived exosomes from patients with HCC who underwent transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) were applied to determine clinical correlations. Results: We demonstrated that H-TDEs activated lung fibroblasts and facilitated PMN formation, thereby promoting lung metastasis in mice. Screening for upregulated exosomal miRNAs revealed that miR-4508 and its target, regulatory factor X1 (RFX1), were involved in H-TDE-induced lung PMN formation. Moreover, miR-4508 was significantly upregulated in plasma exosomes derived from patients with HCC after TACE. We confirmed that the p38 MAPK-NF-κB signaling pathway is involved in RFX1 knockdown-induced fibroblast activation and PMN formation. In addition, IL17A, a downstream target of RFX1, was identified as a link between RFX1 knockdown and p38 MAPK activation in fibroblasts. Conclusion: Hypoxia enhances the release of TDEs enriched with miR-4508, thereby promoting lung PMN formation by targeting the RFX1-IL17A-p38 MAPK-NF-κB pathway. These findings highlight a novel mechanism underlying hypoxia-induced pulmonary metastasis of HCC.

Exosomes derived from ovarian cancer cells regulate proliferation and migration of cancer-associated fibroblasts

Cancer-associated fibroblast (CAF) is an essential risk factor for ovarian cancer. Exosomes can mediate cellular communication in the tumour microenvironment, but the interaction of tumour cell exosomes with CAF is less studied in Ovarian cancer. This study identified H19/miR-29c-3p/LOXL2-COL1A1 as a ceRNA regulatory network involved in regulating tumour matrix-associated signaling pathways associated with CAF. Cellular assays demonstrated that exosomes from ovarian cancer cell line SKOV3 significantly promoted the proliferation and migration of CAF. The results of mixed transplantation tumour experiments in nude mice showed that exosomes of SKOV3 significantly promoted tumour growth. Ovarian cancer tumour-derived exosomes can regulate CAF proliferation and migration through H19/miR-29c-3p/LOXL2-COL1A1. This study reveals the regulatory role of tumour exosomes on CAF, which may provide a theoretical basis for the development of therapeutic regimens targeting fibroblasts in ovarian cancer.

Emerging role of exosome-shuttled noncoding RNAs in gastrointestinal cancers: From intercellular crosstalk to clinical utility

Gastrointestinal cancer remains a significant global health burden. The pursuit of advancing the comprehension of tumorigenesis, along with the identification of reliable biomarkers and the development of precise therapeutic strategies, represents imperative objectives in this field. Exosomes, small membranous vesicles released by most cells, commonly carry functional biomolecules, including noncoding RNAs (ncRNAs), which are specifically sorted and encapsulated by exosomes. Exosome-mediated communication involves the release of exosomes from tumor or stromal cells and the uptake by nearby or remote recipient cells. The bioactive cargoes contained within these exosomes exert profound effects on the recipient cells, resulting in significant modifications in the tumor microenvironment (TME) and distinct alterations in gastrointestinal tumor behaviors. Due to the feasibility of isolating exosomes from various bodily fluids, exosomal ncRNAs have shown great potential as liquid biopsy-based indicators for different gastrointestinal cancers, using blood, ascites, saliva, or bile samples. Moreover, exosomes are increasingly recognized as natural delivery vehicles for ncRNA-based therapeutic interventions. In this review, we elucidate the processes of ncRNA-enriched exosome biogenesis and uptake, examine the regulatory and functional roles of exosomal ncRNA-mediated intercellular crosstalk in gastrointestinal TME and tumor behaviors, and explore their potential clinical utility in diagnostics, prognostics, and therapeutics.

The role of coagulome in the tumor immune microenvironment

The rising incidence and persistent thrombosis in multiple cancers including those that are immunosuppressive highlight the need for understanding the tumor coagulome system and its role beyond hemostatic complications. Immunotherapy has shown significant benefits in solid organ tumors but has been disappointing in the treatment of hypercoagulable cancers, such as glioblastoma and pancreatic ductal adenocarcinomas. Thus, targeting thrombosis to prevent immunosuppression seems a clinically viable approach in cancer treatment. Hypercoagulable tumors often develop fibrin clots within the tumor microenvironment (TME) that dictates the biophysical characteristics of the tumor tissue. The application of systems biology and single-cell approaches highlight the potential role of coagulome or thrombocytosis in shaping the tumor immune microenvironment (TIME). In-depth knowledge of the tumor coagulome would provide unprecedented opportunities to better predict the hemostatic complications, explore how thrombotic stroma modulates tumor immunity, reexamine the significance of clinical biomarkers, and enable steering the stromal versus systemic immune response for boosting the effectiveness of immune checkpoint inhibitors in cancer treatment. We focus on the role of coagulation factors in priming a suppressive TIME and the huge potential of existing anticoagulant drugs in the clinical settings of cancer immunotherapy.

Emerging role of MicroRNA-Based theranostics in Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), with its high mortality and short survival rate, continues to be one of the deadliest malignancies despite relentless efforts and several technological advances. The poor prognosis of HCC and the few available treatments are to blame for the low survival rate, which emphasizes the importance of creating new, effective diagnostic markers and innovative therapy strategies. In-depth research is being done on the potent biomarker miRNAs, a special class of non-coding RNA and has shown encouraging results in the early identification and treatment of HCC in order to find more viable and successful therapeutics for the disease. It is beyond dispute that miRNAs control cell differentiation, proliferation, and survival and, depending on the genes they target, can either promote tumorigenesis or suppress it. Given the vital role miRNAs play in the biological system and their potential to serve as ground-breaking treatments for HCC, more study is required to fully examine their theranostic potential.

Extracellular Vesicles in Liver Transplantation: Current Evidence and Future Challenges

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are emerging as a promising field of research in liver disease. EVs are small, membrane-bound vesicles that contain various bioactive molecules, such as proteins, lipids, and nucleic acids and are involved in intercellular communication. They have been implicated in numerous physiological and pathological processes, including immune modulation and tissue repair, which make their use appealing in liver transplantation (LT). This review summarizes the current state of knowledge regarding the role of EVs in LT, including their potential use as biomarkers and therapeutic agents and their role in graft rejection. By providing a comprehensive insight into this emerging topic, this research lays the groundwork for the potential application of EVs in LT.

Exosomal miR-30a-5p promoted intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma progression by increasing angiogenesis and vascular permeability in PDCD10 dependent manner

Tumor-associated angiogenesis positively associates with malignant metastasis of intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICCA). Cancer cell-derived exosomes carrying microRNAs involves in tumor microenvironment (TME) regulation. We aimed to evaluate exosomal miR-30a-5p in ICCA development. Our data showed that increased miR-30a-5p level was correlated with higher microvascular density (MVD) and worse prognosis. Augmented miR-30a-5p expression was induced by hypoxia induced factor 1α (HIF-1α) in ICCA cell. Further exploration revealed that ICCA-derived miR-30a-5p could be transferred to endothelial and increased endothelial cells recruitment and proliferation, induced angiogenesis and vascular permeability in exosome dependent manner. In addition, circulating exosomal miR-30a-5p was higher in ICCA patients, and correlated with ICCA tissues-expressing miR-30a-5p. Hypoxic stress enhanced the effects of exosomal miR-30a-5p on endothelial-associated phenotypes. Rescued experiments showed that exosomal miR-30a-5p modulated endothelial-associated phenotypes in a way relied on programmed cell death 10 (PDCD10). Moreover, we revealed that the packing of miR-30a-5p into ICCA cells-derived exosomes was mediated by eukaryotic translation initiation factor 4B (EIF4B). More importantly, the combined application of targeting miR-30a-5p and apatinib could synergistically improve antiangiogenic efficacy in ICCA. Combined, ICCA-derived exosomal miR-30a-5p could be an excellent therapeutic and monitoring indicator for ICCA patients.

Potential targets of natural medicines: preventing lung cancer pre-metastatic niche formation by regulating exosomes

Lung cancer is one of the most devastating diseases worldwide with high incidence and mortality, and the incidence continues to rise. Metastasis is the leading cause of death in lung cancer patients, yet the molecular effectors underlying tumor dissemination remain poorly defined. Research findings in recent years confirmed primed microenvironment of future metastatic sites, called the pre-metastatic niche, is a prerequisite for overt metastasis. Exosomes have recently emerged as important players in pre-metastatic niche formation. Natural medicines have traditionally been rich sources of drug discovery. Some of them exhibit favorable anti-lung cancer activity. The review focused on the latest advances in the regulation of the pre-metastatic niche formation in lung cancer by the contents of exosomes of representative natural medicines. Additionally, the mechanism of natural medicines was summarized in detail, which would provide new insights for anti-cancer new drug development.

Exosomal miRNA-mediated intercellular communications and immunomodulatory effects in tumor microenvironments

Extracellular communication, in other words, crosstalk between cells, has a pivotal role in the survival of an organism. This communication occurs by different methods, one of which is extracellular vesicles. Exosomes, which are small lipid extracellular vesicles, have recently been discovered to have a role in signal transduction between cells inside the body. These vesicles contain important bioactive molecules including lipids, proteins, DNA, mRNA, and noncoding RNAs such as microRNAs (miRNAs). Exosomes are secreted by all cells including immune cells (macrophages, lymphocytes, granulocytes, dendritic cells, mast cells) and tumor cells. The tumor microenvironment (TME) represents a complex network that supports the growth of tumor cells. This microenvironment encompasses tumor cells themselves, the extracellular matrix, fibroblasts, endothelial cells, blood vessels, immune cells, and non-cellular components such as exosomes and cytokines. This review aims to provide insights into the latest discoveries concerning how the immune system communicates internally and with other cell types, with a specific focus on research involving exosomal miRNAs in macrophages, dendritic cells, B lymphocytes, and T lymphocytes. Additionally, we will explore the role of exosomal miRNA in the TME and the immunomodulatory effect.

Unraveling the Role of EV-Derived miR-150-5p in Prostate Cancer Metastasis and Its Association with High-Grade Gleason Scores: Implications for Diagnosis

Metastasis remains the leading cause of mortality in prostate cancer patients. The presence of tumor cells in lymph nodes is an established prognostic indicator for several cancer types, such as melanoma, breast, oral, pancreatic, and cervical cancers. Emerging evidence highlights the role of microRNAs enclosed within extracellular vesicles as facilitators of molecular communication between tumors and metastatic sites in the lymph nodes. This study aims to investigate the potential diagnostic utility of EV-derived microRNAs in liquid biopsies for prostate cancer. By employing microarrays on paraffin-embedded samples, we characterized the microRNA expression profiles in metastatic lymph nodes, non-metastatic lymph nodes, and primary tumor tissues of prostate cancer. Differential expression of microRNAs was observed in metastatic lymph nodes compared to prostate tumors and non-metastatic lymph node tissues. Three microRNAs (miR-140-3p, miR-150-5p, and miR-23b-3p) were identified as differentially expressed between tissue and plasma samples. Furthermore, we evaluated the expression of these microRNAs in exosomes derived from prostate cancer cells and plasma samples. Intriguingly, high Gleason score samples exhibited the lowest expression of miR-150-5p compared to control samples. Pathway analysis suggested a potential regulatory role for miR-150-5p in the Wnt pathway and bone metastasis. Our findings suggest EV-derived miR-150-5p as a promising diagnostic marker for identifying patients with high-grade Gleason scores and detecting metastasis at an early stage.

DNAzyme-Amplified Cascade Catalytic Hairpin Assembly Nanosystem for Sensitive MicroRNA Imaging in Living Cells

Sensitive imaging of microRNAs (miRNAs) in living cells is significant for accurate cancer clinical diagnosis and prognosis research studies, but it is challenged by inefficient intracellular delivery, instability of nucleic acid probes, and limited amplification efficiency. Herein, we engineered a DNAzyme-amplified cascade catalytic hairpin assembly (CHA)-based nanosystem (DCC) that overcomes these challenges and improves the imaging sensitivity. This enzyme-free amplification nanosystem is based on the sequential activation of DNAzyme amplification and CHA. MnO2 nanosheets were used as nanocarriers for the delivery of nucleic acid probes, which can resist the degradation by nucleases and supply Mn2+ for the DNAzyme reaction. After entering into living cells, the MnO2 nanosheets can be decomposed by intracellular glutathione (GSH) and release the loaded nucleic acid probes. In the presence of target miRNA, the locking strand (L) was hybridized with target miRNA, and the DNAzyme was released, which then cleaved the substrate hairpin (H1). This cleavage reaction resulted in the formation of a trigger sequence (TS) that can activate CHA and recover the fluorescence readout. Meanwhile, the DNAzyme was released from the cleaved H1 and bound to other H1 for new rounds of DNAzyme-based amplification. The TS was also released from CHA and involved in the new cycle of CHA. By this DCC nanosystem, low-abundance target miRNA can activate many DNAzyme and generate numerous TS for CHA, resulting in sensitive and selective analysis of miRNAs with a limit of detection of 5.4 pM, which is 18-fold lower than that of the traditional CHA system. This stable, sensitive, and selective nanosystem holds great potential for miRNA analysis, clinical diagnosis, and other related biomedical applications.

Modifications of The Human Liver Cancer Cells through microRNA-145-Mediated Targeting of CDCA3

OBJECTIVE

Owing to the lethality of liver cancer, it is considered as one of the devastating types of cancers across the globe. Consistently, the study was designed to elucidate the role and to explore the therapeutic implications of miR-145 in human liver cancer.

MATERIALS & METHODS

In the current experimental study, gene expression was determined by RT-PCR analysis. Transfection of cancer cells was carried out using Lipofectamine 2000. The cell proliferation of liver cancer cells was estimated by MTT assay. Clonogenic assay was performed for analysis of colony forming potential of cancer cells. Flow cytometry was done to analyze the cell cycle phase distribution of cancer cells. Transwell chamber assay was performed to assess the motility of cancer cells. Western blotting was done to estimate the expression levels of proteins. Dual luciferase assay was performed for interaction analysis of miR-145 with CDCA3.

RESULT

The miR-145 expression was found to be downregulated in liver cancer cells. The transfection mediated overexpression of miR-145 inhibited the cancer cell proliferation and when miR-145 inhibitor was transfected, cancer cells showed higher proliferation rates. Enrichment of miR-145 levels led to cell cycle arrest at G2/M phase by inhibiting cyclin B1. miR-145 also restricted the migration and invasion of cancer cells. CDCA3 was shown to be the intracellular target of miR-145 and it was found that the inhibitory effects of miR-145 were modulated through CDCA3, intracellularly.

CONCLUSION

The current study clearly revealed that there is a need to investigate the regulatory role of different molecular entities like microRNAs in cancer development to better understand mechanics behind this pathogenesis and design more effective combating strategies against cancer.

Tumor-derived nanoseeds condition the soil for metastatic organotropism

Primary tumors secrete a variety of factors to turn distant microenvironments into favorable and fertile 'soil' for subsequent metastases. Among these 'seeding' factors that initiate pre-metastatic niche (PMN) formation, tumor-derived extracellular vesicles (EVs) are of particular interest as tumor EVs can direct organotropism depending on their surface integrin profiles. In addition, EVs also contain versatile, bioactive cargo, which include proteins, metabolites, lipids, RNA, and DNA fragments. The cargo incorporated into EVs is collectively shed from cancer cells and cancer-associated stromal cells. Increased understanding of how tumor EVs promote PMN establishment and detection of EVs in bodily fluids highlight how tumor EVs could serve as potential diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers, as well as provide a therapeutic target for metastasis prevention. This review focuses on tumor-derived EVs and how they direct organotropism and subsequently modulate stromal and immune microenvironments at distal sites to facilitate PMN formation. We also outline the progress made thus far towards clinical applications of tumor EVs.

The Parkinson's disease-associated protein α-synuclein inhibits hepatoma by exosome delivery

Numerous epidemiological studies suggest a link between Parkinson's disease (PD) and cancer. However, their relevant pathogenesis is not clear. In the present study, we investigated the potential role of exosome-delivered α-synuclein (α-syn) in the regulation between PD and liver cancer. We cultured hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cells with exosomes derived from conditioned medium of the PD cellular model, and injected exosomes enriched with α-syn into the striatum of a liver cancer rat model. We found that α-syn-contained exosomes from the rotenone-induced cellular model of PD suppressed the growth, migration, and invasion of HCC cells. Integrin αVβ5 in exosomes from the rotenone-induced PD model was higher than that in the control, resulting in more α-syn-contained exosomes being taken up by HCC cells. Consistently, in vivo experiments with rat models also confirmed exosome-delivered α-syn inhibited liver cancer. These findings illustrate the important role of PD-associated protein α-syn inhibiting hepatoma by exosome delivery, suggesting a new mechanism underlying the link between these two diseases and therapeutics of liver cancer.

Extracellular vesicle-circEHD2 promotes the progression of renal cell carcinoma by activating cancer-associated fibroblasts

BACKGROUND

The encapsulation of circular RNAs (circRNAs) into extracellular vesicles (EVs) enables their involvement in intercellular communication and exerts an influence on the malignant advancement of various tumors. However, the regulatory role of EVs-circRNA in renal cell carcinoma (RCC) remains elusive.

METHODS

The in vitro and in vivo functional experiments were implemented to measure the effects of circEHD2 on the phenotype of RCC. The functional role of EVs-circEHD2 on the activation of fibroblasts was assessed by collagen contraction assay, western blotting, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The mechanism was investigated by RNA pull-down assay, RNA immunoprecipitation, chromatin isolation by RNA purification, luciferase assay, and co-immunoprecipitation assay.

RESULTS

We demonstrated that circEHD2 was upregulated in RCC tissues and serum EVs of RCC patients with metastasis. Silencing circEHD2 inhibited tumor growth in vitro and in vivo. Mechanistic studies indicated that FUS RNA -binding protein (FUS) accelerated the cyclization of circEHD2, then circEHD2 interacts with tyrosine 3-monooxygenase/tryptophan 5-monooxygenase activation protein eta (YWHAH), which acts as a bridge to recruit circEHD2 and Yes1-associated transcriptional regulator (YAP) to the promoter of SRY-box transcription factor 9 (SOX9); this results in the sustained activation of SOX9. Heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein A2/B1 (hnRNPA2B1) regulates the package of circEHD2 into EVs, then EVs-circEHD2 transmits to fibroblasts, converting fibroblasts to cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs). Activated CAFs promote the metastasis of RCC by secreting pro-inflammatory cytokines such as IL-6. Furthermore, antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs) targeting circEHD2 exhibited a strong inhibition of tumor growth in vivo.

CONCLUSIONS

The circEHD2/YWHAH/YAP/SOX9 signaling pathway accelerates the growth of RCC. EVs-circEHD2 facilitates the metastasis of RCC by converting fibroblasts to CAFs. Our results suggest that EVs-circEHD2 may be a useful biomarker and therapeutic target for RCC.

Development and validation of a diagnostic and prognostic model for lung metastasis of hepatocellular carcinoma: a study based on the SEER database

Background

Lung metastasis (LM) is a common occurrence in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), and it is associated with a poorer prognosis compared to HCC patients without LM. This study aimed to identify predictors and prognostic factors for LM in HCC patients as well as develop diagnostic and prognostic nomograms specifically tailored for LM in HCC patients.

Methods

A retrospective analysis was conducted on HCC patients from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database, covering the period from 2010 to 2015. The study employed multivariate logistic regression analysis to identify risk factors associated with LM in HCC patients. Additionally, multivariate Cox proportional hazards regression analysis was utilized to investigate prognostic factors for HCC patients with LM. Subsequently, two nomograms were developed to predict the risk and prognosis of LM in HCC patients. The performance of the nomograms was evaluated through calibration curves, receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves, and decision curve analysis (DCA).

Result

This retrospective study included a total of 5,934 patients diagnosed with HCC, out of which 174 patients were diagnosed with LM. Through multivariate logistic regression analysis, several independent risk factors for LM in HCC patients were identified, including tumor grade, tumor size, American Joint Committee for Cancer (AJCC) T stage, and AJCC N stage. Furthermore, multivariate Cox analysis revealed that tumor grade, delayed treatment, surgery, and radiation were independent prognostic factors for HCC patients with LM. To assess the predictive power of the developed nomograms, calibration curves, receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis, and decision curve analysis (DCA) were employed. The findings demonstrated that the nomograms exhibited satisfactory performance in both the training and validation sets. Additionally, the prognostic nomogram effectively stratified HCC patients with LM into low- and high-risk groups for mortality.

Conclusion

These two nomograms optimally predicted the risk and prognosis of LM in HCC patients. Both nomograms have satisfactory performance. This would help clinicians to make accurate clinical decisions.

The Origin, Differentiation, and Functions of Cancer-Associated Fibroblasts in Gastrointestinal Cancer

Emerging evidence has shown the importance of the tumor microenvironment in tumorigenesis and progression. Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) are one of the most infiltrated stroma cells of the tumor microenvironment in gastrointestinal tumors. CAFs play crucial roles in tumor development and therapeutic response by biologically secreting soluble factors or structurally remodeling the extracellular matrix. Conceivably, CAFs may become excellent targets for tumor prevention and treatment. However, the limited knowledge of the heterogeneity of CAFs represents a huge challenge for clinically targeting CAFs. In this review, we summarize the newest understanding of gastrointestinal CAFs, with a special focus on their origin, differentiation, and function. We also discuss the current understanding of CAF subpopulations as shown by single-cell technologies.

Unlocking the potential of non-coding RNAs in cancer research and therapy

Non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) have emerged as key regulators of gene expression, with growing evidence implicating their involvement in cancer development and progression. The potential of ncRNAs as diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers for cancer is promising, with emphasis on their use in liquid biopsy and tissue-based diagnostics. In a nutshell, the review comprehensively summarizes the diverse classes of ncRNAs implicated in cancer, including microRNAs, long non-coding RNAs, and circular RNAs, and their functions and mechanisms of action. Furthermore, we describe the potential therapeutic applications of ncRNAs, including anti-miRNA oligonucleotides, siRNAs, and other RNA-based therapeutics in cancer treatment. However, significant challenges remain in developing effective ncRNA-based diagnostics and therapeutics, including the lack of specificity, limited understanding of mechanisms, and delivery challenges. This review also covers the current state-of-the-art non-coding RNA research technologies and bioinformatic analysis tools. Lastly, we outline future research directions in non-coding RNA research in cancer, including developing novel biomarkers, therapeutic targets, and modalities. In summary, this review provides a comprehensive understanding of non-coding RNAs in cancer and their potential clinical applications, highlighting both the opportunities and challenges in this rapidly evolving field.

FGF19/FGFR4-mediated elevation of ETV4 facilitates hepatocellular carcinoma metastasis by upregulating PD-L1 and CCL2

BACKGROUND & AIMS

Metastasis remains the major reason for the high mortality of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). This study was designed to investigate the role of E-twenty-six-specific sequence variant 4 (ETV4) in promoting HCC metastasis and to explore a new combination therapy strategy for ETV4-mediated HCC metastasis.

METHODS

PLC/PRF/5, MHCC97H, Hepa1-6, and H22 cells were used to establish orthotopic HCC models. Clodronate liposomes were used to clear macrophages in C57BL/6 mice. Gr-1 monoclonal antibody was used to clear myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) in C57BL/6 mice. Flow cytometry and immunofluorescence were used to detect the changes of key immune cells in the tumour microenvironment.

RESULTS

ETV4 expression was positively related to higher tumour-node-metastasis (TNM) stage, poor tumour differentiation, microvascular invasion, and poor prognosis in human HCC. Overexpression of ETV4 in HCC cells transactivated PD-L1 and CCL2 expression, which increased tumour-associated macrophage (TAM) and MDSC infiltration and inhibited CD8+ T-cell accumulation. Knockdown of CCL2 by lentivirus or CCR2 inhibitor CCX872 treatment impaired ETV4-induced TAM and MDSC infiltration and HCC metastasis. Furthermore, FGF19/FGFR4 and HGF/c-MET jointly upregulated ETV4 expression through the ERK1/2 pathway. Additionally, ETV4 upregulated FGFR4 expression, and downregulation of FGFR4 decreased ETV4-enhanced HCC metastasis, which created a FGF19-ETV4-FGFR4 positive feedback loop. Finally, anti-PD-L1 combined with FGFR4 inhibitor BLU-554 or MAPK inhibitor trametinib prominently inhibited FGF19-ETV4 signalling-induced HCC metastasis.

CONCLUSIONS

ETV4 is a prognostic biomarker, and anti-PD-L1 combined with FGFR4 inhibitor BLU-554 or MAPK inhibitor trametinib may be effective strategies to inhibit HCC metastasis.

IMPACT AND IMPLICATIONS

Here, we reported that ETV4 increased PD-L1 and chemokine CCL2 expression in HCC cells, which resulted in TAM and MDSC accumulation and CD8+ T-cell inhibition to facilitate HCC metastasis. More importantly, we found that anti-PD-L1 combined with FGFR4 inhibitor BLU-554 or MAPK inhibitor trametinib markedly inhibited FGF19-ETV4 signalling-mediated HCC metastasis. This preclinical study will provide a theoretical basis for the development of new combination immunotherapy strategies for patients with HCC.

Paper-based biosensors as point-of-care diagnostic devices for the detection of cancers: a review of innovative techniques and clinical applications

The development and rapid progression of cancer are major social problems. Medical diagnostic techniques and smooth clinical care of cancer are new necessities that must be supported by innovative diagnostic methods and technologies. Current molecular diagnostic tools based on the detection of blood protein markers are the most common tools for cancer diagnosis. Biosensors have already proven to be a cost-effective and accessible diagnostic tool that can be used where conventional laboratory methods are not readily available. Paper-based biosensors offer a new look at the world of analytical techniques by overcoming limitations through the creation of a simple device with significant advantages such as adaptability, biocompatibility, biodegradability, ease of use, large surface-to-volume ratio, and cost-effectiveness. In this review, we covered the characteristics of exosomes and their role in tumor growth and clinical diagnosis, followed by a discussion of various paper-based biosensors for exosome detection, such as dipsticks, lateral flow assays (LFA), and microfluidic paper-based devices (µPADs). We also discussed the various clinical studies on paper-based biosensors for exosome detection.

Role of exosomes in the development of the immune microenvironment in hepatocellular carcinoma

Despite numerous improved treatment methods used in recent years, hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is still a disease with a high mortality rate. Many recent studies have shown that immunotherapy has great potential for cancer treatment. Exosomes play a significant role in negatively regulating the immune system in HCC. Understanding how these exosomes play a role in innate and adaptive immunity in HCC can significantly improve the immunotherapeutic effects on HCC. Further, engineered exosomes can deliver different drugs and RNA molecules to regulate the immune microenvironment of HCC by regulating the aforementioned immune pathway, thereby significantly improving the mortality rate of HCC. This study aimed to declare the role of exosomes in the development of the immune microenvironment in HCC and list engineered exosomes that could be used for clinical transformation therapy. These findings might be beneficial for clinical patients.

Extracellular Vesicles in Hepatobiliary Health and Disease

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are membrane-bound nanoparticles released by cells and are an important means of intercellular communication in physiological and pathological states. We provide an overview of recent advances in the understanding of EV biogenesis, cargo selection, recipient cell effects, and key considerations in isolation and characterization techniques. Studies on the physiological role of EVs have relied on cell-based model systems due to technical limitations of studying endogenous nanoparticles in vivo . Several recent studies have elucidated the mechanistic role of EVs in liver diseases, including nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, viral hepatitis, cholestatic liver disease, alcohol-associated liver disease, acute liver injury, and liver cancers. Employing disease models and human samples, the biogenesis of lipotoxic EVs downstream of endoplasmic reticulum stress and microvesicles via intracellular activation stress signaling are discussed in detail. The diverse cargoes of EVs including proteins, lipids, and nucleic acids can be enriched in a disease-specific manner. By carrying diverse cargo, EVs can directly confer pathogenic potential, for example, recruitment and activation of monocyte-derived macrophages in NASH and tumorigenicity and chemoresistance in hepatocellular carcinoma. We discuss the pathogenic role of EVs cargoes and the signaling pathways activated by EVs in recipient cells. We review the literature that EVs can serve as biomarkers in hepatobiliary diseases. Further, we describe novel approaches to engineer EVs to deliver regulatory signals to specific cell types, and thus use them as therapeutic shuttles in liver diseases. Lastly, we identify key lacunae and future directions in this promising field of discovery and development. © 2023 American Physiological Society. Compr Physiol 13:4631-4658, 2023.

Tumor Microenvironment Remodeling in Gastrointestinal Cancer: Role of miRNAs as Biomarkers of Tumor Invasion

Gastrointestinal (GI) cancers are the most frequent neoplasm, responsible for half of all cancer-related deaths. Metastasis is the leading cause of death from GI cancer; thus, studying the processes that regulate cancer cell migration is of paramount importance for the development of new therapeutic strategies. In this review, we summarize the mechanisms adopted by cancer cells to promote cell migration and the subsequent metastasis formation by highlighting the key role that tumor microenvironment components play in deregulating cellular pathways involved in these processes. We, therefore, provide an overview of the role of different microRNAs in promoting tumor metastasis and their role as potential biomarkers for the prognosis, monitoring, and diagnosis of GI cancer patients. Finally, we relate the possible use of nutraceuticals as a new strategy for targeting numerous microRNAs and different pathways involved in GI tumor invasiveness.

Targeting tumor-derived exosome-mediated premetastatic niche formation: The metastasis-preventive value of traditional Chinese medicine

Tumor-derived exosome (TDE)-mediated premetastatic niche (PMN) formation is a potential mechanism underlying the organotropic metastasis of primary tumors. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has shown considerable success in preventing and treating tumor metastasis. However, the underlying mechanisms remain elusive. In this review, we discussed PMN formation from the perspectives of TDE biogenesis, cargo sorting, and TDE recipient cell alterations, which are critical for metastatic outgrowth. We also reviewed the metastasis-preventive effects of TCM, which act by targeting the physicochemical materials and functional mediators of TDE biogenesis, regulating the cargo sorting machinery and secretory molecules in TDEs, and targeting the TDE-recipient cells involved in PMN formation.

Bone Lesion-Derived Extracellular Vesicles Fuel Prometastatic Cascades in Hepatocellular Carcinoma by Transferring ALKBH5-Targeting miR-3190-5p

Bone is the second leading metastatic site for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Patients with HCC and bone metastasis suffer poor quality of life and reduced survival time. Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are widely involved in HCC formation and metastasis. However, the communication between primary HCC and bone lesions mediated by EVs remains unclear and the possible effect of bone metastasis on the progression of HCC remains largely unknown. Here, bone-metastasized HCC-derived EVs (BM-EVs) are found to localize to orthotropic HCC cells and promote HCC progression. Mechanistically, miR-3190-5p (miR-3190) is upregulated in intracellular HCC cells isolated from bone lesions as well as in their derived EVs. miR-3190 in BM-EVs is transferred into orthotopic tumor cells and enhances their metastatic capacity by downregulating AlkB homolog 5 (ALKBH5) expression. Decreased level of ALKBH5 exacerbates the prometastatic characteristics of HCC by modulating gene expression in N6-methyladenosine-dependent and -independent ways. Finally, antagomir-miR-3190-loaded liposomes with HCC affinity successfully suppress HCC progression in mice treated with BM-EVs. These findings reveal that BM-EVs initiate prometastatic cascades in orthotopic HCC by transferring ALKBH5-targeting miR-3190 and miR-3190 is serving as a promising therapeutic target for inhibiting the progression of HCC in patients with bone metastasis.