Increased exosomal microRNA-21 and microRNA-146a levels in the cervicovaginal lavage specimens of patients with cervical cancer

Infertility: Focus on the therapeutic potential of extracellular vesicles

Infertility is a well-known problem that arises from a variety of reproductive diseases. Until now, researchers have tried various methods to restore fertility, including medication specific to the cause, hormone treatments, surgical removals, and assisted reproductive technologies. While these methods do produce results, they do not consistently lead to fertility restoration in every instance. The use of exosome therapy has significant potential in treating infertility in patients. This is because exosomes, microvesicles, and apoptotic bodies, which are different types of vesicles, play a crucial role in transferring bioactive molecules that aid in cell-to-cell communication. Reproductive fluids can transport a variety of molecular cargos, such as miRNAs, mRNAs, proteins, lipids, and DNA molecules. The percentage of these cargos in the fluids can be linked to their physiological and pathological status. EVs are involved in several physiological and pathological processes and offer interesting non-cellular therapeutic possibilities to treat infertility. EVs (extracellular vesicles) transplantation has been shown in many studies to be a key part of regenerating different parts of the reproductive system, including the production of oocytes and the start of sperm production. Nevertheless, the existing evidence necessitates testifying to the effectiveness of injecting EVs in resolving reproductive problems among humans. This review focuses on the current literature about infertility issues in both females and males, specifically examining the potential treatments involving extracellular vesicles (EVs).

Advances in extracellular vesicles as mediators of cell-to-cell communication in pregnancy

Cell-to-cell communication mediated by Extracellular Vesicles (EVs) is a novel and emerging area of research, especially during pregnancy, in which placenta derived EVs can facilitate the feto-maternal communication. EVs comprise a heterogeneous group of vesicle sub-populations with diverse physical and biochemical characteristics and originate by specific biogenesis mechanisms. EVs transfer molecular cargo (including proteins, nucleic acids, and lipids) between cells and are critical mediators of cell communication. There is growing interest among researchers to explore into the molecular cargo of EVs and their functions in a physiological and pathological context. For example, inflammatory mediators such as cytokines are shown to be released in EVs and EVs derived from immune cells play key roles in mediating the immune response as well as immunoregulatory pathways. Pregnancy complications such as gestational diabetes mellitus, preeclampsia, intrauterine growth restriction and preterm birth are associated with altered levels of circulating EVs, with differential EV cargo and bioactivity in target cells. This implicates the intriguing roles of EVs in reprogramming the maternal physiology during pregnancy. Moreover, the capacity of EVs to carry bioactive molecules makes them a promising tool for biomarker development and targeted therapies in pregnancy complications. This review summarizes the physiological and pathological roles played by EVs in pregnancy and pregnancy-related disorders and describes the potential of EVs to be translated into clinical applications in the diagnosis and treatment of pregnancy complications.

Exosomes as Theranostic Agents in Reproduction System

Exosomes (Exos), belonging to extracellular vesicles, are cell-derived nano-sized vesicles with the potential to carry different kinds of biological molecules. Many studies have proved the impacts of exosomal cargo on several biological processes in female and male reproductive systems. It is also hypothesized that changes in exosomal cargo are integral to the promotion of certain pathological conditions, thus Exos can be used as valid biomarkers for the diagnosis of infertility and other abnormal conditions. Here, efforts are made to collect some recent data related to the physiological significance of Exos in the reproductive system, and their potential therapeutic effects. It is anticipated that the current review article will lay the groundwork for elucidating the source and mechanisms by which Exos control the reproductive system additionally supplying fresh methods and concepts for the detection and treatment of disorders associated with fertility for future studies.

Exosomes in Cancer: Diagnostic and Therapeutic Applications

Small extracellular vesicles called exosomes are produced by cells and contain a range of biomolecules, including proteins, lipids, and nucleic acids. Exosomes have been implicated in the development and spread of cancer, and recent studies have shown that their contents may be exploited as biomarkers for early detection and ongoing surveillance of the disease. In this review article, we summarize the current knowledge on exosomes as biomarkers of cancer. We discuss the various methods used for exosome isolation and characterization, as well as the different types of biomolecules found within exosomes that are relevant for cancer diagnosis and prognosis. We also highlight recent studies that have demonstrated the utility of exosomal biomarkers in different types of cancer, such as lung cancer, breast cancer, and pancreatic cancer. Overall, exosomes show great promise as noninvasive biomarkers for cancer detection and monitoring. Exosomes have the ability to transform cancer diagnostic and therapeutic paradigms, providing promise for more efficient and individualized. This review seeks to serve as an inspiration for new ideas and research in the never-ending fight against cancer. Moreover, further studies are needed to validate their clinical utility and establish standardized protocols for their isolation and analysis. With continued research and development, exosomal biomarkers have the potential to revolutionize cancer diagnosis and treatment.

Harnessing tumor-derived exosomes: A promising approach for the expansion of clinical diagnosis, prognosis, and therapeutic outcome of prostate cancer

Prostate cancer is the second leading cause of men's death worldwide. Although early diagnosis and therapy for localized prostate cancer have improved, the majority of men with metastatic disease die from prostate cancer annually. Therefore, identification of the cellular-molecular mechanisms underlying the progression of prostate cancer is essential for overcoming controlled proliferation, invasion, and metastasis. Exosomes are small extracellular vesicles that mediate most cells' interactions and contain membrane proteins, cytosolic and nuclear proteins, extracellular matrix proteins, lipids, metabolites, and nucleic acids. Exosomes play an essential role in paracrine pathways, potentially influencing Prostate cancer progression through a wide variety of mechanisms. In the present review, we outline and discuss recent progress in our understanding of the role of exosomes in the Prostate cancer microenvironment, like their involvement in prostate cancer occurrence, progression, angiogenesis, epithelial-mesenchymal transition, metastasis, and drug resistance. We also present the latest findings regarding the function of exosomes as biomarkers, direct therapeutic targets in prostate cancer, and the challenges and advantages associated with using exosomes as natural carriers and in exosome-based immunotherapy. These findings are a promising avenue for the expansion of potential clinical approaches.

Triple ligation-based formation of a G-quadruplex for simultaneous detection of multiple miRNAs

The simultaneous detection of multiple microRNAs (miRNA) is of great necessity but has not been extensively studied. This prompted our study, which involved the development of a triple ligation-based system for detecting three miRNAs at the same time. We designed a multi-ligation-padlock (MLP) probe that consists of three parts, each of which is complementary to two different miRNAs at the same time. In the presence of all three miRNAs, the probe becomes circularized, but in the absence of even one target, the probe remains linear. The first part of the MLP probe (MLP1) contains a T7 promoter part that can initiate RNA synthesis for any given target condition. However, it also includes a G-quadruplex complementary segment, which can only form a parallel RNA G-quadruplex through rolling circle transcription by the circularized template in the presence of all three targets. In this case, the application of our parallel G-quadruplex sensing fluorescent probe lutidine DESA (LutD) produces a strong signal. However, in the absence of any one of the targets, the RNA G-quadruplex cannot be formed and ultimately the LutD probe does not generate any signal. This difference in the signal intensity represents the presence or absence of all the target miRNAs. With our system, we were able to detect miRNA 21 at levels as low as 1.13 fM, miRNA 146a as low as 1.37 fM, and miRNA 25b as low as 1.51 fM within 45 minutes, confirming that our novel system can selectively and sensitively diagnose triple miRNAs.

Identification of Endometrial Cancer-Specific microRNA Biomarkers in Endometrial Fluid

Abnormal uterine bleeding is a common benign gynecological complaint and is also the most common symptom of endometrial cancer (EC). Although many microRNAs have been reported in endometrial carcinoma, most of them were identified from tumor tissues obtained at surgery or from cell lines cultured in laboratories. The objective of this study was to develop a method to detect EC-specific microRNA biomarkers from liquid biopsy samples to improve the early diagnosis of EC in women. Endometrial fluid samples were collected during patient-scheduled in-office visits or in the operating room prior to surgery using the same technique performed for saline infusion sonohysterography (SIS). The total RNA was extracted from the endometrial fluid specimens, followed by quantification, reverse transcription, and real-time PCR arrays. The study was conducted in two phases: exploratory phase I and validation phase II. In total, endometrial fluid samples from 82 patients were collected and processed, with 60 matched non-cancer versus endometrial carcinoma patients used in phase I and 22 in phase II. The 14 microRNA biomarkers, out of 84 miRNA candidates, with the greatest variation in expression from phase I, were selected to enter phase II validation and statistical analysis. Among them, three microRNAs had a consistent and substantial fold-change in upregulation (miR-429, miR-183-5p, and miR-146a-5p). Furthermore, four miRNAs (miR-378c, miR-4705, miR-1321, and miR-362-3p) were uniquely detected. This research elucidated the feasibility of the collection, quantification, and detection of miRNA from endometrial fluid with a minimally invasive procedure performed during a patient in-office visit. The screening of a larger set of clinical samples was necessary to validate these early detection biomarkers for endometrial cancer.

Clinical Application of Small Extracellular Vesicles in Gynecologic Malignancy Treatments

Small extracellular vesicles (sEVs) are the key mediators of intercellular communication. They have the potential for clinical use as diagnostic or therapeutic biomarkers and have been explored as vectors for drug delivery. Identification of reliable and noninvasive biomarkers, such as sEVs, is important for early diagnosis and precise treatment of gynecologic diseases to improve patient prognosis. Previous reviews have summarized routine sEVs isolation and identification methods; however, novel and unconventional methods have not been comprehensively described. This review summarizes a convenient method of isolating sEVs from body fluids and liquid biopsy-related sEV markers for early, minimally invasive diagnosis of gynecologic diseases. In addition, the characteristics of sEVs as drug carriers and in precision treatment and drug resistance are introduced, providing a strong foundation for identifying novel and potential therapeutic targets for sEV therapy. We propose potential directions for further research on the applications of sEVs in the diagnosis and treatment of gynecologic diseases.

The Rise of Extracellular Vesicles as New Age Biomarkers in Cancer Diagnosis: Promises and Pitfalls

Cell-to-cell interactions in the intricate microenvironment of tissue have a significant impact on the progression of cancer at every stage. Both cancer cells and stromal cells are responsible for the secretion of soluble chemical compounds as well as membrane-encased components, which both influence and govern the cell-to-cell interactions within the micro-environment of tumor cells. These membrane structures are identified as extracellular vesicles (EVs), which include exosomes and microvesicles. These nanosized vesicles are made up of bilayered proteolipids and have dimensions ranging from 50 to 1000 nm. It has been speculated that extracellular vesicles that originate from cancer cells perform a variety of functions in the development and progression of cancer which may involve the transport of regulatory materials, such as oncogenic proteins between nearby cells and to distant biological locations. In addition, their level in the serum of cancer patients is noticeably higher than those of healthy controls. The release of extracellular vesicles into the extracellular space is a continual process in both healthy and diseased cells. These extracellular vesicles hold molecular signatures that are defining features of health as well as disease. And hence, the EVs present in biological fluids provide unparalleled and noninvasive access to the necessary molecular details about the health status of the cells. Recent discoveries about these complex extracellular organelles have accelerated the discovery of cancer-specific biological markers as well as the development of unique diagnostic tools based on extracellular vesicles. In this mini-review, we aim to highlight the hopes and hypes associated with the applications of extracellular vesicles as biomarkers for cancer diagnosis.

The Role and Applications of Exosomes in Gynecological Cancer: A Review

Exosomes are phospholipid bilayer vesicles that are released by all types of cells, containing proteins, lipids, and nucleic acids such as DNAs and RNAs. Exosomes can be transferred between cells and play a variety of physiological and pathological regulatory functions. Noncoding RNAs, including micro RNAs, long noncoding RNAs, and circular RNAs, are the most studied biomolecules from exosomes and more and more studies found that noncoding RNAs play an important role in the diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment of diseases, including various types of cancer. Gynecological malignancies such as ovarian, endometrial, and cervical cancer seriously threaten women's life. Therefore, this article reviews the roles and applications of exosomes in gynecological malignancies, including the promotion or inhibition of tumor progression and regulation of tumor microenvironments, and as potential therapeutic targets for treating gynecological cancers.

Role of Exosomal Non-Coding RNA in the Tumour Microenvironment of Genitourinary System Tumours

In recent years, genitourinary system tumors are common in people of all ages, seriously affecting the quality of life of patients, the pathogenesis and treatment of these diseases are constantly being updated and improved. Exosomes, with a lipid bilayer that enable delivery of their contents into body fluids or other cells. Exosomes can regulate the tumor microenvironment, and play an important role in tumor development. In turn, cellular and non-cellular components of tumor microenvironment also affect the occurrence, progression, invasion and metastasis of tumor. Non-coding RNAs have been shown to be able to be ingested and released by exosomes, and are seen as a potential tool in cancer diagnosis and treatment. Here, we summarize the effect of non-coding RNAs of exosome contents on the tumor microenvironment of genitourinary system tumor, expound the significance of non-coding RNAs of exosome in the occurrence, development, diagnosis and treatment of cancers.

Application of Extracellular Vesicles in Gynecologic Cancer Treatment

Ovarian, cervical, and endometrial cancer are the three most common gynecological malignancies that seriously threaten women's health. With the development of molecular biology technology, immunotherapy and targeted therapy for gynecologic tumors are being carried out in clinical treatment. Extracellular vesicles are nanosized; they exist in various body fluids and play an essential role in intercellular communication and in the regulation of various biological process. Several studies have shown that extracellular vesicles are important targets in gynecologic cancer treatment as they promote tumor growth, progression, angiogenesis, metastasis, chemoresistance, and immune system escape. This article reviews the progress of research into extracellular vesicles in common gynecologic tumors and discusses the role of extracellular vesicles in gynecologic tumor treatment.

Small extracellular vesicles as key players in cancer development caused by human oncogenic viruses

Background

Exosomes are the smallest group of extracellular vesicles in size from 30 to 150 nm, surrounded by a lipid bilayer membrane, and originate from multivesicular bodies secreted by different types of cells, such as virus-infected cells. The critical role of exosomes is information transfer among cells, representing a unique way for intercellular communication via a load of many kinds of molecules, including various signaling proteins and nucleic acids. In this review, we aimed to comprehensively investigate the role of exosomes in promoting human oncogenic viruses-associated cancers.

Methods

Our search was conducted for published researches between 2000 and 2022 by using several international databases includeing Scopus, PubMed, and Web of Science as well as Google scholar. We also reviewed additional evidence from relevant published articles.

Results

It has been shown that exosomes can create the conditions for viral spread in viral infections. Exosome secretion in a human tumor virus can switch on the cell signaling pathways by transferring exosome-encapsulated molecules, including viral oncoproteins, signal transduction molecules, and virus-encoded miRNAs, into various cells.

Conclusion

Given the role of exosomes in viruses-associated cancers, they can also be considered as molecular targets in diagnosis and treatment.

HPV-Related Cervical Cancer and Extracellular Vesicles

Cervical cancer is the fourth most common type of cancer in females worldwide. Infection with a human papillomavirus is crucial to the etiopathogenesis of cervical cancer. The natural trajectory of HPV infection comprises HPV acquisition, HPV persistence versus clearance, and progression to precancer and invasive cancer. The majority of HPV infections are cleared and controlled by the immune system within 2 years, but some infections may become quiescent or undetectable. The persistence of high-risk HPV infection for a longer period of time enhances the risk of malignant transformation of infected cells; however, the mechanisms responsible for the persistence of infection are not yet well-understood. It is estimated that 10-15% of infections do persist, and the local microenvironment is now recognized as an important cofactor promoting infection maintenance. Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are small membrane vesicles derived from both normal cells and cancer cells. EVs contain various proteins, such as cytoskeletal proteins, adhesion molecules, heat shock proteins, major histocompatibility complex, and membrane fusion proteins. EVs derived from HPV-infected cells also contain viral proteins and nucleic acids. These biologically active molecules are transferred via EVs to target cells, constituting a kind of cell-to-cell communication. The viral components incorporated into EVs are transmitted independently of the production of infectious virions. This mode of transfer makes EVs a perfect vector for viruses and their components. EVs participate in both physiological and pathological conditions; they have also been identified as one of the mediators involved in cancer metastasis. This review discusses the potential role of EVs in remodeling the cervical cancer microenvironment which may be crucial to tumor development and the acquisition of metastatic potential. EVs are promising as potential biomarkers in cervical cancer.

Detection of HPV RNA in Extracellular Vesicles from Neuroendocrine Cervical Cancer Cells

Background: Neuroendocrine carcinoma of the cervix (NECC) is an aggressive and rare type of cervical cancer. The five-year overall survival is low at 30% and there is no standardized therapy based on controlled trials for this type of tumour. Most are locally advanced or metastasized at the time of the diagnosis. Extracellular vesicles (EVs) could be a carrier of viral DNA/RNA, given their vital role in cellular communication. The content of EV derived from NECC cells has not been investigated due to the lack of cell line, and it is not known whether they contain human papillomaviruses (HPV) DNA/RNA or not. Methods: The presence of viral E7 DNA/RNA in EVs purified from a culture of a recently established NECC cell line, GUMC-395, was evaluated by using droplet digital polymerase chain reaction (ddPCR). These EVs were characterized using nanoparticle tracking analysis (NTA) for size distribution, transmission electron microscopy (TEM) for morphology, Western blot for CD63, and bioanalyser for RNA quantity and quality. Results: HPV16 viral-RNA, but not DNA, was detected in EVs from GUMC-395 using ddPCR. NTA identified EVs with a mean diameter of 105.0 nm, TEM confirmed normal morphological shape and size, and Western blot analysis confirmed the presence of EV-associated proteins CD63. The EVs were found to be enriched with small RNAs using a bioanalyser. Conclusions: HPV16 RNA is found in EVs from a neuroendocrine cervical cancer and could be involved in the pathogenesis of the disease and used as a diagnostic biomarker.

Effect of Exosomes from Patients with Grade One Cervical Intraepithelial Neoplasia on Cell Cultures: A Preliminary Study

Purpose

Exosomes are extracellular membrane vesicles. Their content directly reflects the metabolic state of the cells from which they originate and play an important role in cellular functions and pathological states, for example, cancer. The aim was to establish the effect of exosomes from patients diagnosed with CIN1 (grade one cervical intraepithelial neoplasia) on the viability of HeLa cells in culture. It had not been documented, nor had the vesicles obtained by cervicovaginal samples taken by the patients themselves (self-taken vaginal).

Patients and Methods

Exosomes were obtained from self-taken vaginal by patients diagnosed with CIN1 and healthy. The exosomes were characterized by determining the AChE (acetylcholinesterase) activity, obtaining a protein profile, and obtaining images of these by STEM. The effect on cell viability was made in HeLa and HaCaT cells in culture.

Results

Vesicles between 185 nm and 415 nm were observed by STEM. Exosomes show a "protective" effect when those patients without injury are confronted with HeLa cells. On the other hand, exosomes promote viability when they come from injured patients in the presence of the same cells.

Conclusion

Exosomes can be used to identify ideal biomarkers for the early diagnosis of CC (cervical cancer), follow-up of patients, and even treatment given the effects observed on cell cultures.

Disease progression role as well as the diagnostic and prognostic value of microRNA-21 in patients with cervical cancer: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Introduction

Cervical cancer is the fourth commonest and the fourth leading cause of cancer death in females globally. The upregulated expression of microRNA-21 in cervical cancer has been investigated in numerous studies, yet given the inconsistency on some of the findings, a systematic review and meta-analysis is needed. Therefore, the aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis is to investigate the role in disease progression as well as the diagnostic and prognostic value of microRNA-21 in patients with cervical cancer.

Methods

Literature search was carried out through visiting several electronic databases including PubMed/MEDLINE/ PubMed Central, Web of Science, Embase, WorldCat, DOAJ, ScienceDirect, and Google Scholar. After extraction, data analysis was carried out using Rev-Man 5.3, STATA 15.0 and Meta-disk 1.4. I2 and meta-bias statistics assessed heterogeneity and publication bias of the included studies, respectively. The area under summary receiver operating characteristic curve and other diagnostic indexes were used to estimate diagnostic accuracy.

Result

A total of 53 studies were included for this systematic review and meta-analysis. This study summarized that microRNA-21 targets the expression of numerous genes that regulate their subsequent downstream signaling pathways which promote cervical carcinogenesis. The targets addressed in this study included TNF-α, CCL20, PTEN RasA1, TIMP3, PDCD-4, TPM-1, FASL, BTG-2, GAS-5, and VHL. In addition, the meta-analysis of reports from 6 eligible studies has demonstrated that the overall area under the curve (AUC) of summary receiver operating characteristic (SROC) of microRNA-21 as a diagnostic accuracy index for cervical cancer was 0.80 (95% CI: 0.75, 0.86). In addition, evidence from studies revealed that upregulated microRNA-21 led to worsening progression and poor prognosis in cervical cancer patients.

Conclusion

microRNA-21 is an oncogenic microRNA molecule playing a key role in the development and progression of cervical malignancy. It has good diagnostic accuracy in the diagnosis of cervical cancer. In addition, the upregulation of microRNA-21 could predict a worse outcome in terms of prognosis in cervical cancer patients.

Novel Insight of CircRNAs in Cervical Cancer: Potential Biomarkers and Therapeutic Target

Cervical cancer (CC) is a prominent cancer around the globe, with a high incidence, and fatality rate. Numerous recent investigations have shown that various non-coding RNAs are associated with the progression of CC. Circular RNAs, a novel class of non-coding RNAs, have a single chain covalent closed-loop structure and are involved in cell growth and other physiological processes. These dysregulated circRNAs seem to have environment-specific functions. They have been demonstrated in certain studies to have a dual involvement in oncogene production and tumor inhibition in different cell settings. Simultaneously, some evidence indicates that circRNAs are abnormally expressed in CC and contributes to its progression. Thus, the distinctive expression profile of circRNAs is associated with the diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment outcomes of CC. We summarized numerous CC-specific circles and their function in revealing the molecular processes of carcinogenesis and progression in CC in this review. Taken together, these data suggest that circRNA may be used as an early detection biomarker and potential therapeutic target in patients with CC.

Advances in exosome biomarkers for cervical cancer

Cervical cancer (CC) ranks as the fourth most frequently diagnosed malignancy in females worldwide. Exosomes are a subclass of extracellular vesicles released by nearly all types of cells that act as cargo transport vehicles, carrying proteins, and genetic material (such as miRNAs, long noncoding RNAs, and mRNAs) derived from their parent cells may affect receiving cells and thus have emerged as key players in several biological processes, including inflammatory pathways. In this review, we concentrated on the findings of exosome investigations in CC, particularly their components. They direct the actions of CC cells by inducing surface molecules associated with various biological pathways. We summarized the current knowledge of exosomal RNAs and proteins from CC cells and discussed the feasibility of exosomes as potential biomarkers for CC. We suggest that cancer-derived exosomes promote metastasis in CC by supporting EMT, controlling the proliferation, invasion, or migration of cancer cells, as well as influencing immune escape and aiding angiogenesis. Overall, cancer-derived exosomes are critical in the progression of CC, and further studies are necessary to advance our understanding of the clinical value of exosomes in CC.

Role of Exosomes and its emerging therapeutic applications in the pathophysiology of Non-Infectious disease

Exosomes are a type of small Extracellular Vesicles (EVs) and play crucial roles in cancer and other diseases. Exosomes role in various diseases has been studied as they regulate intercellular communication and are obtained from almost any part of the body. Exosomes use is complicated in diseases as they promote pathogenesis but also act as a very good therapeutic agent in most diseases. The presence of a complex molecular cargo consisting of nucleic acids (DNA, RNA, miRNA, siRNA, etc.,) makes it a very good delivery agent and acts as a biomarker for many cancers, cardiovascular and neurodegenerative diseases. They can be used to selectively target cells and activate immune cell responses depending on the source obtained. Exosomes based immunotherapy is an area of gaining importance due to the proteins present in them and their specificity to the targeted cells. The role of exosomes in the diagnosis and treatment of non-infectious diseases is discussed in detail in this article.

The promotional effect of microRNA-103a-3p in cervical cancer cells by regulating the ubiquitin ligase FBXW7 function

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) have been reported to be involved in the initiation and progression of human tumors including cervical cancer (CC). However, the mechanisms underlying of their actions in CC remain to be fully elucidated. Herein, the differentially expressed miRNAs that were screened based on GSE55940 microarray data retrieved from Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO), and miR-103a-3p was significantly upregulated in CC tissues which was selected as the target miRNA for further research. We also found that high expression of miR-103a-3p was closely associated with histological grades, FIGO stage and distant metastasis as well as reflected poor overall survival. Moreover, miR-103a-3p inhibition decreased the growth capacity of SiHa and HeLa cells by inducing cell apoptosis. And F-box and WD repeat-domain containing protein 7 (FBXW7), a well-known tumor suppressor in many cancer types, was identified as a direct target of miR-103a-3p. It was further found that FBXW7 was significantly downregulated in CC tissues, and it was inversely correlated with miR-103a-3p expression levels. Further investigation demonstrated that FBXW7 upregulation could simulate the roles of miR-103a-3p knockdown in cell viability and apoptosis. Moreover, FBXW7 knockdown efficiently abrogated the influences of CC cells proliferation caused by miR-103a-3p inhibition. Notably, miR-103a-3p could block FBXW7 mediated the downstream transcription factor pathways. Taken together, these findings suggest that miR-103a-3p functions as an oncogene in CC by targeting FBXW7.

Meta-analysis of the diagnostic value of exosomal miR-21 as a biomarker for the prediction of cancer

BACKGROUND

Early diagnosis of cancer is still the most effective method to increase survival and therapeutically effective patient management. Accumulating studies had exploited exosomes as an indicator for the diagnosis and prognosis of cancer. In addition to exosomes, exosome-derived miRs are widely investigated as a novel biomarker for diagnosis in cancer patients. The aim of this study was to clarify the diagnostic value of ex-miR-21 in cancer.

METHODS

Databases were searched for eligible studies up to June, 2021. Studies included in this meta-analysis were reviewed and selected independently by two authors. The data of sensitivity, specificity, diagnostic odds ratio (DOR), and summary receiver operating characteristic curves (SROC) of exosomal miR-21 as a diagnostic biomarker were extracted and calculated. Quality assessment was conducted by using the QUADAS-2 tool.

RESULTS

A total of 26 studies were included in the systematic analysis and meta-analysis. The pooled results of sensitivity, specificity, PLR/NLR, DOR, and area under the curve were 76% (95%CI, 0.70-0.81), 82% (0.77-0.87), 4.3 (3.1-6.0), 0.29 (0.22-0.38), 15 (8-26), and 0.86 (0.83-0.89), respectively. Sensitivity analysis and Deeks' funnel plot indicated that results remained unchanged and had no publication bias. For the subgroup analysis, it was showed that ex-miR-21 had a superior diagnostic accuracy on identifying PC.

CONCLUSION

Exosomal microRNA-21 can serve as an effective and widely used diagnostic biomarker for cancer, especially in PC. The using field of exosomes and exosome-derived miR can further extend the prognosis and therapeutic management. Standardized isolation of exosomes and miRNA-21 should be developed.

Circular RNA Foxo3 enhances progression of ovarian carcinoma cells

Background: Ovarian carcinoma (OC) is the deadliest gynecologic malignancy in females worldwide. Circular RNA Foxo3 (Foxo3) plays essential roles in various cancers. However, the detailed function of Foxo3 in OC remains unclear. This study aimed to investigate the role of Foxo3 in OC and the underlying molecular mechanism.

Methods: The abundance of Foxo3 was detected in OC cell lines by qPCR. Lentivirus transduction, CCK-8, wound healing assays, transwell migration and invasion assays, luciferase reporter assay, western blotting, fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH), transmission electron microscopy, nanoparticle tracking analysis, and bioinformatics analysis were performed to investigate the underlying mechanism.

Results: The results demonstrated that Foxo3 was significantly upregulated in OC cell lines. Overexpression and knockdown of Foxo3 promoted and inhibited the proliferation, migration, and invasion of OC cells, respectively. Foxo3 could bind to miR-422a to negatively regulate miR-422a expression. Also, proteolipid protein 2 (PLP2) was a targeting gene of miR-422a. Additionally, Foxo3 was highly expressed in exosomes derived from OC cells. Furthermore, Foxo3 could be shuttled to OC cells by exosomes and promoted OC progression.

Conclusions: Foxo3 promoted OC progression through exosome-mediated intercellular interaction to target miR-422a/PLP2 axis. Foxo3 may serve as a potential biomarker for OC.

The functions and potential roles of extracellular vesicle noncoding RNAs in gynecological malignancies

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are small membranous vesicles secreted by multiple kinds of cells and are widely present in human body fluids. EVs containing various constituents can transfer functional molecules from donor cells to recipient cells, thereby mediating intercellular communication. Noncoding RNAs (ncRNAs) are a type of RNA transcript with limited protein-coding capacity, that have been confirmed to be enriched in EVs in recent years. EV ncRNAs have become a hot topic because of their crucial regulating effect in disease progression, especially in cancer development. In this review, we summarized the biological functions of EV ncRNAs in the occurrence and progression of gynecological malignancies. In addition, we reviewed their potential applications in the diagnosis and treatment of gynecological malignancies.

Extracellular Vesicles: New Tools for Early Diagnosis of Breast and Genitourinary Cancers

Breast cancers and cancers of the genitourinary tract are the most common malignancies among men and women and are still characterized by high mortality rates. In order to improve the outcomes, early diagnosis is crucial, ideally by applying non-invasive and specific biomarkers. A key role in this field is played by extracellular vesicles (EVs), lipid bilayer-delimited structures shed from the surface of almost all cell types, including cancer cells. Subcellular structures contained in EVs such as nucleic acids, proteins, and lipids can be isolated and exploited as biomarkers, since they directly stem from parental cells. Furthermore, it is becoming even more evident that different body fluids can also serve as sources of EVs for diagnostic purposes. In this review, EV isolation and characterization methods are described. Moreover, the potential contribution of EV cargo for diagnostic discovery purposes is described for each tumor.

Extracellular Vesicles in Cervical Cancer and HPV Infection

Since their description, extracellular vesicles (EVs) have shown growing relevance in cancer progression. These cell structures contain and transfer molecules such as nucleic acids (including DNA and RNA), proteins, and lipids. Despite the rising information about EVs’ relationship with cancer, there is still scarce evidence about their content and function in cervical cancer. Interestingly, the composition and purposes of some cellular molecules and the expression of oncogenic proteins packaged in EVs seem modified in HPV-infected cells; and, although only the E6 oncogenic protein has been detected in exosomes from HPV-positive cells, both E6/E7 oncogenes mRNA has been identified in EVs; however, their role still needs to be clarified. Given that EVs internalizing into adjacent or distant cells could modify their cellular behavior or promote cancer-associated events like apoptosis, proliferation, migration, or angiogenesis in receptor cells, their comprehensive study will reveal EV-associated mechanisms in cervical cancer. This review summarizes the current knowledge in composition and functions of cervical cancer and HPV Infection-derived EVs.

Regulation of angiogenesis by microRNAs in cancer

MicroRNAs (miRs) are endogenous, small, non‑coding RNA molecules with ~22 nucleotides, and are involved in regulating the expression of multiple genes and controlling cellular functions. miRs serve key roles in angiogenesis by regulating the proliferation, differentiation, apoptosis and migration of endothelial cells. Regulation of angiogenesis is essential for several physiological and pathological processes, particularly for tumor development and progression. Therefore, it is important to investigate the roles served by miRs in angiogenesis as this may aid in discovering novel strategies for treating tumors via modulating angiogenesis. In this review, miRNA biogenesis, regulation and functions are described with new information and corresponding references. In particular, the latest advances in the role of various miRs and their target genes involved in tumor angiogenesis were updated. Next, different signaling pathways by which miRNAs could be regulated in different types of tumor progression were addressed. Furthermore, the potential clinical value of miRs as biomarkers for diagnosing and monitoring the response to therapy, as well as their ability to regulate tumor angiogenesis and the mechanism underlying this regulation, were investigated.

Current advancement of exosomes as biomarkers for cancer diagnosis and forecasting

Exosomes are normal vesicles produced in the late endosomes of a cell. They are secreted by cells and play a role in cell-to-cell contact. They are an invaluable aid in cancer diagnosis as they include miRNA, proteins and lncRNAs. Depending on the function of these constituents in cancer, the expression of exosome constituents can be upregulated or downregulated in cancer. Exosomes provide high concentration and protective environment for their cargo, thereby making them superior targets for cancer diagnosis. It has recently been documented that exosomes modulate cell-cell connectivity by molecules included in the exosomes, leading to the maintenance of tissue homeostasis. In addition, exosomes released from cancer cells are implicated in the development of cancer. Data on the role of exosomes in cancer will thus enhance the effectiveness of new diagnostic and therapeutic approaches. In particular, exosomes are useful sources for biomarkers due to selective cargo loading and similarity to their parental cells. In this review, we summarize the recent findings to use exosomes as cancer biomarkers for early detection, diagnosis, and therapy selection.

Fractional CO2 laser treatment effect on cervicovaginal lavage zinc and copper levels: a prospective cohort study

BACKGROUND

The basic principle of vaginal laser therapy is the rejuvenation of the affected tissue. Zinc and copper are essential nutritional trace elements and have a key role in connective tissue homeostasis. We aimed to investigate the effect of vaginal, fractional CO₂ laser treatment on cervicovaginal lavage (CVL) zinc and copper levels.

METHODS

Twenty-nine postmenopausal women with symptoms of vaginal dryness were enrolled in our prospective cohort study. Three treatments with MonaLisa Touch CO₂ laser system were performed four weeks apart. At each treatment CVL was collected, Vaginal Health Index (VHI) was obtained, and Visual Analog Scale (VAS) for vaginal dryness was assigned by patients. Zinc and copper concentrations were measured with optical emission spectrometry before each treatment and six weeks after the 3rd treatment.

RESULTS

The VHI scores significantly improved after each laser treatment (mean ± SD VHI score, 13.03 ± 4.49 before vs. 15.55 ± 4.35 after the 1st, 17.79 ± 4.57 after the 2nd and 19.38 ± 4.39 after the 3rd treatment, P < 0.01). Similarly, VAS scores reflected improvement (mean ± SD VAS score 6.59 ± 2.86 before vs. 4.17 ± 2.86 after the 1st, 2.45 ± 2.43 after the 2nd and 1.41 ± 1.94 after the 3rd treatment, P < 0.01). CVL zinc levels were significantly higher compared to copper levels (0.06 ± 0.04 vs. 0.006 ± 0.006 mg/L, P < 0.01) at baseline. While copper levels remained the same through treatments, the CVL zinc level was significantly higher after the second laser treatment compared to the baseline.

CONCLUSIONS

Fractional CO₂ laser treatment of the vagina impacts CVL zinc and copper levels differently. While CVL copper levels were not different after each laser treatment, zinc levels were significantly higher after the second treatment before returning to baseline values.

Exosomal circRNA 0001445 promotes glioma progression through miRNA-127-5p/SNX5 pathway

Background: Glioma is one of the most wide-spreading brain cancers worldwide. Exosomes have emerged as essential regulators in intercellular communication, and exosomal circular RNAs (circRNAs) are critical for cancer progression. In this study, we aimed to investigate the role of exosomal circRNAs in glioma progression and associated mechanisms.

Methods: Exosomes derived from glioma cells were isolated and identified by transmission electron microscopy and nanoparticle tracking analysis (NTA). CCK-8, wound healing assays, transwell invasion assays, and flow cytometry assays were performed to assess glioma progression. RNA sequencing, RT-qPCR, western blotting, fluorescence in situ hybridization assay, luciferase assays, and cell transfection assay were performed to investigate related molecular mechanisms.

Results: The results demonstrated that exosomes derived from glioma cells promoted glioma progression. Also, exosomal circRNA 0001445 was taken up and upregulated in glioma cells treated with exosomes. In addition, exosomal circRNA 0001445 acted as a sponge for miRNA-127-5p to upregulate the expression of sorting nexin 5 (SNX5). Lastly, the effect of exosomal circRNA 0001445 was mediated by miRNA-127-5p/ SNX5 signaling pathway.

Conclusion: These results demonstrated that exosomal circRNA 0001445 promoted glioma progression through miRNA-127-5p/SNX5 signaling pathway. This study provides a novel understanding of the molecular mechanism of glioma progression.

Small Non-Coding-RNA in Gynecological Malignancies

Gynecologic malignancies, which include cancers of the cervix, ovary, uterus, vulva, vagina, and fallopian tube, are among the leading causes of female mortality worldwide, with the most prevalent being endometrial, ovarian, and cervical cancer. Gynecologic malignancies are complex, heterogeneous diseases, and despite extensive research efforts, the molecular mechanisms underlying their development and pathology remain largely unclear. Currently, mechanistic and therapeutic research in cancer is largely focused on protein targets that are encoded by about 1% of the human genome. Our current understanding of 99% of the genome, which includes noncoding RNA, is limited. The discovery of tens of thousands of noncoding RNAs (ncRNAs), possessing either structural or regulatory functions, has fundamentally altered our understanding of genetics, physiology, pathophysiology, and disease treatment as they relate to gynecologic malignancies. In recent years, it has become clear that ncRNAs are relatively stable, and can serve as biomarkers for cancer diagnosis and prognosis, as well as guide therapy choices. Here we discuss the role of small non-coding RNAs, i.e., microRNAs (miRs), P-Element induced wimpy testis interacting (PIWI) RNAs (piRNAs), and tRNA-derived small RNAs in gynecological malignancies, specifically focusing on ovarian, endometrial, and cervical cancer.

Exosomes as Biomarkers for Female Reproductive Diseases Diagnosis and Therapy

Cell-cell communication is an essential mechanism for the maintenance and development of various organs, including the female reproductive system. Today, it is well-known that the function of the female reproductive system and successful pregnancy are related to appropriate follicular growth, oogenesis, implantation, embryo development, and proper fertilization, dependent on the main regulators of cellular crosstalk, exosomes. During exosome synthesis, selective packaging of different factors into these vesicles happens within the originating cells. Therefore, exosomes contain both genetic and proteomic data that could be applied as biomarkers or therapeutic targets in pregnancy-associated disorders or placental functions. In this context, the present review aims to compile information about the potential exosomes with key molecular cargos that are dysregulated in female reproductive diseases which lead to infertility, including polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), premature ovarian failure (POF), Asherman syndrome, endometriosis, endometrial cancer, cervical cancer, ovarian cancer, and preeclampsia, as well as signaling pathways related to the regulation of the reproductive system and pregnancy outcome during these pathological conditions. This review might help us realize the etiology of reproductive dysfunction and improve the early diagnosis and treatment of the related complications.

Exosomal microRNAs and exosomal long non-coding RNAs in gynecologic cancers

Gynecologic cancer is a group of any malignancies affecting reproductive tissues and organs of women, including ovaries, uterine, cervix, vagina, vulva, and endometrium. Several types of molecular mechanisms are associated with the progression of gynecologic cancers. Among it can be referred to the most widely studied non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs), specifically microRNAs (miRNAs) and long ncRNAs (lncRNAs). As yet, lncRNAs are known to serve key biological roles via various mechanisms, such as splicing regulation, chromatin rearrangement, translation regulation, cell-cycle control, genetic imprinting and mRNA decay. Besides, miRNAs govern gene expression by modulation of mRNAs and lncRNAs degradation, suggestive of needing more research in this field. Generally, driving gynecological cancers pathways by miRNAs and lncRNAs lead to the current improvement in cancer-related technologies. Exosomes are extracellular microvesicles which can carry cargo molecules among cells. In recent years, more studies have been focused on exosomal non-coding RNAs (exo-ncRNAs) and exosomal microRNAs (exo-miRs) because of being natural carriers of lnc RNAs and microRNAs via programmed process. In this review we summarized recent reports concerning the function of exosomal microRNAs and exosomal long non-coding RNAs in gynecological cancers.

Role of Exosomal miRNA in Bladder Cancer: A Promising Liquid Biopsy Biomarker

Bladder cancer (BCa) is the most prevalent neoplasia of the urinary tract. Unfortunately, limited improvements in effective BCa management have meant that it remains a challenging disease. Cystoscopy has been the gold standard for BCa diagnosis and surveillance for over two centuries but is an invasive and expensive approach. Recently, liquid biopsy has been identified as a promising field of cancer research, due to its noninvasiveness and ease of sampling. Liquid biopsy samples could provide comprehensive information regarding the genetic landscape of cancer and could track genomic evolution of the disease over time. Exosomes, which contain RNAs, DNAs, and proteins, are a potential source of tumor biomarkers in liquid biopsy samples. In particular, exosomal miRNAs (exomiRs) hold great promise as biomarkers for tumor development and progression. In this review, we provide an overview of liquid biopsy biomarkers, with a particular focus on the use of exomiRs as biomarkers of cancer, and summarize their clinical implications for BCa. Finally, we discuss the future perspectives of these biomarkers in cancer research.

Circulating exosomal miR-125a-5p as a novel biomarker for cervical cancer

Exosomal microRNAs (miRs/miRNAs) have been reported to be associated with cervical cancer. The aim of the present study was to investigate circulating exosomal miRNA as a biomarker for cervical cancer diagnosis. In the present study, samples from 6 patients with cervical cancer and 6 healthy control subjects were retrieved for exosomal RNA-sequencing. The results revealed that a total of 39 miRNAs were differentially expressed between patients with cervical cancer and healthy controls (P<0.001; fold-change >2.0). Exosomal miR-125a-5p was further quantified in plasma from 60 subjects, which included 22 healthy individuals and 38 patients with cervical cancer. miR-16a-5p served as the reference miRNA for quantitative PCR analysis of exosomal miR-125a-5p in patients with cervical cancer and healthy individuals. The results revealed that exosomal miR-125a-5p expression levels in the patients with cervical cancer were significantly lower than those in the healthy controls (P<0.001). Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analyses were performed and the results revealed that the level of plasma exosomal miR-125a-5p was a potential marker for differentiating between non-cervical cancer and cervical cancer, with an ROC area under the curve of 0.7129. At the cut-off value of 2.537 for miR-125a-5p, cervical cancer diagnostic sensitivities and specificities were 59.1 and 84.2%, respectively. The present study provides confirmation that exosomal miR-125a-5p could potentially serve as a biomarker for cervical cancer diagnosis. The present study involved only a small number of clinical samples; more samples are required to support the conclusions of the present study.

Exosomal long non-coding RNA UCA1 functions as growth inhibitor in esophageal cancer

PURPOSE

Esophageal cancer is a highly lethal and broad-spreading malignant tumor worldwide. Exosome-carrying lncRNAs play an essential role in the pathogenesis of various cancers.

RESULTS

The results revealed that the expression of UCA1 was decreased in esophageal cancer tissues and plasma exosomes. UCA1 was enriched in exosomes, and exosomal UCA1 was a promising biomarker for the diagnosis of esophageal cancer with 86.7% sensitivity and 70.2% specificity. Overexpression of UCA1 played anticancer roles in esophageal cancer cells through inhibiting cell proliferation, invasion and migration, and colony formation. Also, exosomal UCA1 was taken up by esophageal cancer cells and inhibited the progression of esophageal cancer in vitro and tumor growth in vivo. Furthermore, exosomal UCA1 could directly target miRNA-613 in esophageal cancer cells.

CONCLUSIONS

The results suggested that exosomal UCA1 inhibits tumorigenesis and progression of esophageal cancer in vitro and in vivo, and might be a promising biomarker for esophageal cancer.

PATIENT AND METHODS

In this study, we determined the expression of UCA1 in esophageal cancer tissues, plasma exosomes of patients with esophageal cancer. We determined the potential of exosomal UCA1 as a biomarker and its effect on the pathogenesis and progression of esophageal cancer in vitro and in vivo.

Cancer Extracellular Vesicles: Next-Generation Diagnostic and Drug Delivery Nanotools

Simple Summary

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are secreted continuously from different cell types. The composition of EVs, like proteins, nucleic acids and lipids is linked with the cells of origin and they are involved in cell-cell communication. The presence of EVs in the majority of the body fluids makes them attractive to investigate and define their role in physiological and in pathological processes. This review is focused on EVs with dimensions between 30 and 150 nm like exosomes (EEVs). We described the biogenesis of EEVs, methods for isolation and their role in cancer as innovative diagnostic tools and new drug delivery systems.

Abstract

Nanosized extracellular vesicles (EVs) with dimensions ranging from 100 to 1000 nm are continuously secreted from different cells in their extracellular environment. They are able to encapsulate and transfer various biomolecules, such as nucleic acids, proteins, and lipids, that play an essential role in cell‒cell communication, reflecting a novel method of extracellular cross-talk. Since EVs are present in large amounts in most bodily fluids, challengeable hypotheses are analyzed to unlock their potential roles. Here, we review EVs by discussing their specific characteristics (structure, formation, composition, and isolation methods), focusing on their key role in cell biology. Furthermore, this review will summarize the biomedical applications of EVs, in particular those between 30 and 150 nm (like exosomes), as next-generation diagnostic tools in liquid biopsy for cancer and as novel drug delivery vehicles.

miRNA profiling of primate cervicovaginal lavage and extracellular vesicles reveals miR-186-5p as a potential antiretroviral factor in macrophages

Cervicovaginal secretions, or their components collected, are referred to as cervicovaginal lavage (CVL). CVL constituents have utility as biomarkers and play protective roles in wound healing and against HIV-1 infection. However, several components of cervicovaginal fluids are less well understood, such as extracellular RNAs and their carriers, for example, extracellular vesicles (EVs). EVs comprise a wide array of double-leaflet membrane extracellular particles and range in diameter from 30 nm to over one micron. The aim of this study was to determine whether differentially regulated CVL microRNAs (miRNAs) might influence retrovirus replication. To this end, we characterized EVs and miRNAs of primate CVL during the menstrual cycle and simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV) infection of macaques. EVs were enriched by stepped ultracentrifugation, and miRNA profiles were assessed with a medium-throughput stem-loop/hydrolysis probe qPCR platform. Whereas hormone cycling was abnormal in infected subjects, EV concentration correlated with progesterone concentration in uninfected subjects. miRNAs were present predominantly in the EV-depleted CVL supernatant. Only a small number of CVL miRNAs changed during the menstrual cycle or SIV infection, for example, miR-186-5p, which was depleted in retroviral infection. This miRNA inhibited HIV replication in infected macrophages in vitro. In silico target prediction and pathway enrichment analyses shed light on the probable functions of miR-186-5p in hindering HIV infections via immunoregulation, T-cell regulation, disruption of viral pathways, etc. These results provide further evidence for the potential of EVs and small RNAs as biomarkers or effectors of disease processes in the reproductive tract.

Exosomal microRNAs: novel players in cervical cancer

Cervical cancer ranks fourth for both mortality and morbidity in women globally. Exosomes are considered as extracellular vesicles, secreted continuously by many cells with a size range from 30 to 150 nm. Exosomes can encapsulate microRNAs (miRNAs) and release them for cellular communications. This exosome-induced miRNA transfer is a novel strategy for genetic exchange among cells. This trafficking modality affects many pathological as well as physiological conditions. Moreover, exosomes can protect the miRNAs against harsh environments and keep them very stable. Given that a variety of exosomal miRNAs derived from cervical cancer cells can be targeted to recipient cells and contribute to tumorgenesis, it has been documented that exosomal miRNAs could be applied as diagnostic and therapeutic biomarkers in the treatment of cervical cancer. Herein, we summarize the pathologic and diagnostic roles of exosomal miRNAs in the cervical cancer. Moreover, we highlight the roles of exosomal miRNAs in other cancers.

Tumor-derived extracellular vesicles: Regulators of tumor microenvironment and the enlightenment in tumor therapy

In recent decades, extracellular vesicles (EVs) have been proven to establish an important bridge of communication between cells or cells and their microenvironment. It is well known that EVs play crucial roles in many human diseases, especially in tumors. Tumor-derived EVs (TEVs) are not only involved in epithelial-mesenchymal transition and extracellular matrix remodeling to promote the invasion and metastasis, but also contribute to the suppression of antitumor immune responses by carrying different inhibitory molecules. In this review, we mainly discuss the effects of TEVs on the remodeling of tumor microenvironment through immune and non-immune associated mechanisms. We summarize the latest studies about utilizing EVs in clinical diagnosis and therapeutic drug delivery as well. In addition, the perspective of tumor therapy by targeting EVs is discussed in this review.

Changes of miRNA Expression Profiles from Cervical-Vaginal Fluid-Derived Exosomes in Response to HPV16 Infection

As an oncogenic virus, HPV16 can lead to the dysfunction of cervical epithelial cells and contribute to the progression of cervical cancer. Components from the cervical-vaginal fluid (CVF) could be used as the basis for cervical cancer screening. Exosomes are widely present in various body fluids and participate in intercellular communication via its cargos of proteins, mRNAs, and miRNAs. This study was conducted to explore the changes of miRNAs in exosomes isolated form the cervical-vaginal fluid during HPV16 infection and to predict the potential effects of exosomal miRNAs on the development of cervical cancer. CVF was collected from volunteers with or without HPV16 infection. The exosomes in CVF were identified by electron microscopy. Microarray analysis was subjected to find the differentially expressed miRNAs in CVF exosomes. To confirm the results, 16 miRNAs were randomly selected to go through real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction. In addition, GO and pathway analyses were conducted to reveal potential functions of differentially expressed miRNAs. A total of 2548 conserved miRNAs were identified in the cervical-vaginal fluid-derived exosomes. In response to HPV16 infection, 45 miRNAs are significantly upregulated and 55 miRNAs are significantly downregulated (P < 0.05). The GO and KEGG pathway analyses revealed that these differentially expressed miRNAs are tightly associated with cervical cancer tumorigenesis, through interaction with the Notch signaling pathway, TNF signaling pathway, and TGF-β signaling pathway. These results suggest that exosomal miRNAs in CVF are differentially expressed in HPV16 infection patients and HPV16-free volunteers. It provided a novel insight to understand the underlying mechanism of HPV16 infection in regulating cervical cancer progression.

The versatile roles and clinical implications of exosomal mRNAs and microRNAs in cancer

Extracellular vesicles (EVs), which include exosomes, microvesicles, and apoptotic bodies, are nanosized structures that are secreted by various cells and act as important mediators in intercellular communication. Recent studies have shown that exosomes carrying bioactive molecules are generated from multivesicular bodies and are present in various body fluids. mRNAs and microRNAs (miRNAs) are encapsulated in exosomes and have been found to be involved in multiple pathophysiological processes. Here, we provide a review of tumor-associated exosomal mRNAs and miRNAs and their roles in metastasis and drug resistance. In particular, we emphasize their clinical application potential as diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers of cancer and in cancer therapy.

Exosomes: Cell-Free Therapy for Cardiovascular Diseases

Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are an important cause of death and disease worldwide. Because injured cardiac tissue cannot be repaired itself, it is urgent to develop other alternate therapies. Stem cells can be differentiated into cardiomyocytes, endothelial cells, and vascular smooth muscle cells for the treatment of CVDs. Therefore, cell therapy has recently been considered a viable treatment option that can significantly improve cardiac function. Nonetheless, implanted stem cells rarely survive in the recipient heart, suggesting that the benefits of stem cell therapy may involve other mechanisms. Exosomes derived from stem cells have a myocardial protection function after myocardial injury, and may be a promising and effective therapy for CVDs. Here, we discuss the application and mechanism of exosomes derived from stem cells in the diagnosis and treatment of CVDs and provide evidence for the application of exosomes in CVDs. Graphical Abstract.

Exosomal miRNAs in hepatitis B virus related liver disease: a new hope for biomarker

The World Health Organisation, in its 2019 progress report on HIV, viral hepatitis and STDs indicates that 257 million people are afflicted with chronic HBV infections, of which, 1 million patients lose their lives every year due to HBV related chronic liver diseases including serious complications such as liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. The course of HBV infection and associated liver injury depend on several host factors, genetic variability of the virus, and the host viral interplay. The challenge of medical science is the early diagnosis/identification of the potential for development of fatal complications like liver cirrhosis and HCC so that timely medical intervention can improve the chances of survival. Currently, neither the vaccination regime nor the diagnostic methods are completely effective as reflected in the high number of annual deaths. It is evident from numerous publications that microRNAs (miRNAs) are the critical regulators of gene expression and various cellular processes like proliferation, development, differentiation, apoptosis and tumorigenesis. Expressions of these diminutive RNAs are significantly affected in cancerous tissues as a result of numerous genomic and epigenetic modifications. Exosomes are membrane-derived vesicles (30–100 nm) secreted by normal as well as malignant cells, and are present in all body fluids. They are recognized as critical molecules in intercellular communication between cells through horizontal transfer of information via their cargo, which includes selective proteins, mRNAs and miRNAs. Exosomal miRNAs are transferred to recipient cells where they can regulate target gene expression. This provides an insight into the elementary biology of cancer progression and therefore the development of therapeutic approaches. This concise review outlines various on-going research on miRNA mediated regulation of HBV pathogenesis with special emphasis on association of exosomal miRNA in advanced stage liver disease like hepatocellular carcinoma. This review also discusses the possible use of exosomal miRNAs as biomarkers in the early detection of HCC and liver cirrhosis.

Role of exosomes and exosomal microRNAs in cancer

A growing body of evidence indicates that exosomes play a critical role in the cell-cell communication process. Exosomes are biological nanoparticles with an average diameter of 30-100 nm in size and are produced by almost all cell types in the human body; however, cancer cells contain higher concentrations of exosomes than healthy cells. They are released into all body fluids and contain double-stranded DNA (originated from nucleus and mitochondria), a variety of RNA species, and specific protein biomarkers that can be utilized as cancer biomarkers and therapeutic targets, and lipids. Therefore, the specific exosomes secreted by tumor cells could be used to predict the existence of the presence of a tumor in cancer patients. This review summarizes the role of exosomes in cancer development and their potential utility in the clinic.

Extracellular Vesicles from Human Papilloma Virus-Infected Cervical Cancer Cells Enhance HIV-1 Replication in Differentiated U1 Cell Line

In the current study, we hypothesized that extracellular vesicles (EVs) secreted from human papilloma virus (HPV)-infected cervical cancer cells exacerbate human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-1 replication in differentiated U1 cell line through an oxidative stress pathway. To test the hypothesis, we treated an HIV-1-infected macrophage cell line (U1) with HPV-infected Caski cell culture supernatant (CCS). We observed a significant increase in HIV-1 replication, which was associated with an increase in the expression of cytochrome P450 (CYPs 1A1 and 2A6) in the CCS-treated U1 cells. Furthermore, we isolated EVs from CCS (CCS-EVs), which showed the presence of CYPs (1A1, 2A6), superoxide dismutase 1 (SOD1), and HPV oncoproteins HPV16 E6. CCS-EVs when exposed to the U1 cells also significantly increased HIV-1 replication. Treatment of antioxidant, CYP1A1 and CYP2A6 inhibitors, and chemodietary agents with antioxidant properties significantly reduced the CCS and CCS-EVs mediated HIV-1 replication in U1 cells. Altogether, we demonstrate that cervical cancer cells exacerbate HIV-1 replication in differentiated U1 cell line via transferring CYPs and HPV oncoproteins through EVs. We also show that the viral replication occurs via CYP and oxidative stress pathways, and the viral replication is also reduced by chemodietary agents. This study provides important information regarding biological interactions between HPV and HIV-1 via EVs leading to enhanced HIV-1 replication.