scholarly journals Extracellular Vesicles in Oncology: from Immune Suppression to Immunotherapy

2021 ◽  
Vol 23 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Akhil Srivastava ◽  
Shipra Rathore ◽  
Anupama Munshi ◽  
Rajagopal Ramesh

AbstractExosomes are involved in cell-to-cell communication and play a crucial role in cellular physiology. The role of exosomes in cancer has been widely explored. Tumor cells have evolved and adapted to evade the immune response. The study of the immune system’s modulations in favor of rogue tumor cells led to the development of a novel immunotherapeutic strategy targeting the immune checkpoint proteins (ICPs). In clinical settings, the response to ICP therapy has been inconsistent and is difficult to predict. Quantitating the targeted ICPs through immunohistochemistry is one approach, but is not pragmatic in a clinical setting and is often not sensitive. Examining the molecules present in bodily fluids to determine ICP treatment response, “liquid biopsy” is a convenient alternative. The term “liquid biopsy” refers to circulating tumor cells (CTCs), extracellular vesicles (EVs), non-coding (nc) RNA, circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA), circulating free DNA (cfDNA), etc. EVs includes exosomes, microvesicles, and oncosomes. Herein, we focus on exosomes isolated from bodily fluids and their use in liquid biopsy. Due to their unique ability to transfer bioactive molecules and perturb the physiology of recipient cells, exosomes have garnered attention for their immune modulation role and as a resource to identify molecules associated with liquid biopsy–based diagnostic methods. In this review, we examine the putative role of exosomes and their cargo in influencing the immune system. We discuss the immune and tumor cells present in the tumor microenvironment (TME), and the exosomes derived from these cells to understand how they participate in creating the immune-suppressive TME. Additionally, use of exosomes in liquid biopsy–based methods to measure the treatment response elicited by immunotherapy is discussed. Finally, we describe how exosomes have been used to develop immune therapies, especially cell-free vaccines, for cancer treatment.

Cells ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (9) ◽  
pp. 2316
Author(s):  
Lucia Catani ◽  
Michele Cavo ◽  
Francesca Palandri

Myeloproliferative Neoplasms (MPN) are acquired clonal disorders of the hematopoietic stem cells and include Essential Thrombocythemia, Polycythemia Vera and Myelofibrosis. MPN are characterized by mutations in three driver genes (JAK2, CALR and MPL) and by a state of chronic inflammation. Notably, MPN patients experience increased risk of thrombosis, disease progression, second neoplasia and evolution to acute leukemia. Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are a heterogeneous population of microparticles with a role in cell-cell communication. The EV-mediated cross-talk occurs via the trafficking of bioactive molecules such as nucleic acids, proteins, metabolites and lipids. Growing interest is focused on EVs and their potential impact on the regulation of blood cancers. Overall, EVs have been suggested to orchestrate the complex interplay between tumor cells and the microenvironment with a pivotal role in “education” and “crafting” of the microenvironment by regulating angiogenesis, coagulation, immune escape and drug resistance of tumors. This review is focused on the role of EVs in MPN. Specifically, we will provide an overview of recent findings on the involvement of EVs in MPN pathogenesis and discuss opportunities for their potential application as diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers.


Epigenomics ◽  
2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Katarina Kouter ◽  
Alja Videtič Paska

Background: Given that approximately 70% of miRNAs in the body are neuronal, we critically assessed current studies on miRNAs and suicidal behavior. Materials & Methods: To further define the role of miRNAs in suicide, we searched for studies on extracellular vesicles (exosomes) because miRNAs are particularly enriched in exosomes. miRNAs also have important physiological roles, and they can cross the blood–brain barrier and participate in cell-to-cell communication with both nearby and distant cells. Results & Conclusion: This critical assessment suggests that several miRNAs can be closely related to neurophysiology, suicidal behavior, and psychiatric disorders. However, clear overlap is poor due to either different methodologies applied or to molecular differences between suicidal behaviors and studied psychiatric disorders.


Biomedicines ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (9) ◽  
pp. 1257
Author(s):  
Nazanin Yeganeh Kazemi ◽  
Benoìt Gendrot ◽  
Ekaterine Berishvili ◽  
Svetomir N. Markovic ◽  
Marie Cohen

Ovarian cancer and pregnancy are two states in which the host immune system is exposed to novel antigens. Indeed, both the tumor and placenta must invade tissues, remodel vasculature to establish a robust blood supply, and evade detection by the immune system. Interestingly, tumor and placenta tissue use similar mechanisms to induce these necessary changes. One mediator is emerging as a key player in invasion, vascular remodeling, and immune evasion: extracellular vesicles (EVs). Many studies have identified EVs as a key mediator of cell-to-cell communication. Specifically, the cargo carried by EVs, which includes proteins, nucleic acids, and lipids, can interact with cells to induce changes in the target cell ranging from gene expression to migration and metabolism. EVs can promote cell division and tissue invasion, immunosuppression, and angiogenesis which are essential for both cancer and pregnancy. In this review, we examine the role of EVs in ovarian cancer metastasis, chemoresistance, and immune modulation. We then focus on the role of EVs in pregnancy with special attention on the vascular remodeling and regulation of the maternal immune system. Lastly, we discuss the clinical utility of EVs as markers and therapeutics for ovarian cancer and pre-eclampsia.


2020 ◽  
Vol 32 (2) ◽  
pp. 56 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. C. F. C. M. de Ávila ◽  
J. C. da Silveira

The follicle is a dynamic microenvironment in the ovary where the oocyte develops. Intercellular communication between somatic cells and the oocyte inside the follicle is essential to generate a competent gamete. Extracellular vesicles are nanoparticles secreted by cells that mediate cell-to-cell communication in the follicle microenvironment and can be obtained from the follicular fluid. These extracellular vesicles have been studied as biomarkers and supplementation tools to mimic physiological conditions during assisted reproductive techniques because they are vehicles of bioactive molecules. Therefore, this paper reviews the importance of changes in the ovarian follicle and the effects of extracellular vesicles from follicular fluid during oocyte maturation and early embryo development. Finally, we propose that is important to consider the source of the extracellular vesicles to improve diagnostic methods and to increase invitro embryo production.


2020 ◽  
Vol 27 (40) ◽  
pp. 6815-6824 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yuan Jiang ◽  
Chuanshan Xu ◽  
Wingnang Leung ◽  
Mei Lin ◽  
Xiaowen Cai ◽  
...  

Photodynamic Therapy (PDT) is a promising alternative treatment for malignancies based on photochemical reaction induced by Photosensitizers (PS) under light irradiation. Recent studies show that PDT caused the abundant release of exosomes from tumor tissues. It is well-known that exosomes as carriers play an important role in cell-cell communication through transporting many kinds of bioactive molecules (e.g. lipids, proteins, mRNA, miRNA and lncRNA). Therefore, to explore the role of exosomes in photodynamic anticancer therapy has been attracting significant attention. In the present paper, we will briefly introduce the basic principle of PDT and exosomes, and focus on discussing the role of exosomes in photodynamic anticancer therapy, to further enrich and boost the development of PDT.


2020 ◽  
Vol 20 ◽  
Author(s):  
Qionghui Wu ◽  
Haidong Wei ◽  
Wenbo Meng ◽  
Xiaodong Xie ◽  
Zhenchang Zhang ◽  
...  

: Annexin, a calcium-dependent phospholipid binding protein, can affect tumor cell adhesion, proliferation, apoptosis, invasion and metastasis, as well as tumor neovascularization in different ways. Recent studies have shown that annexin exists not only as an intracellular protein in tumor cells, but also in different ways to be secret outside the cell as a “crosstalk” tool for tumor cells and tumor microenvironment, thus playing an important role in the development of tumors, such as participating in epithelial-mesenchymal transition, regulating immune cell behavior, promoting neovascularization and so on. The mechanism of annexin secretion in the form of extracellular vesicles and its specific role is still unclear. This paper summarizes the main role of annexin secreted into the extracellular space in the form of extracellular vesicles in tumorigenesis and drug resistance and analyzes its possible mechanism.


Cancers ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (12) ◽  
pp. 3040
Author(s):  
Zainab Hussain ◽  
Jeremy Nigri ◽  
Richard Tomasini

Deciphering the interactions between tumor and stromal cells is a growing field of research to improve pancreatic cancer-associated therapies and patients’ care. Indeed, while accounting for 50 to 90% of the tumor mass, many pieces of evidence reported that beyond their structural role, the non-tumoral cells composing the intra-tumoral microenvironment influence tumor cells’ proliferation, metabolism, cell death and resistance to therapies, among others. Simultaneously, tumor cells can influence non-tumoral neighboring or distant cells in order to shape a tumor-supportive and immunosuppressive environment as well as influencing the formation of metastatic niches. Among intercellular modes of communication, extracellular vesicles can simultaneously transfer the largest variety of signals and were recently reported as key effectors of cell–cell communication in pancreatic cancer, from its development to its evolution as well as its ability to resist available treatments. This review focuses on extracellular vesicles-mediated communication between different cellular components of pancreatic tumors, from the modulation of cellular activities and abilities to their biological and physiological relevance. Taking into consideration the intra-tumoral microenvironment and its extracellular-mediated crosstalk as main drivers of pancreatic cancer development should open up new therapeutic windows.


2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (4) ◽  
pp. 2213
Author(s):  
Natalia Diaz-Garrido ◽  
Cecilia Cordero ◽  
Yenifer Olivo-Martinez ◽  
Josefa Badia ◽  
Laura Baldomà

Communication between cells is crucial to preserve body homeostasis and health. Tightly controlled intercellular dialog is particularly relevant in the gut, where cells of the intestinal mucosa are constantly exposed to millions of microbes that have great impact on intestinal homeostasis by controlling barrier and immune functions. Recent knowledge involves extracellular vesicles (EVs) as mediators of such communication by transferring messenger bioactive molecules including proteins, lipids, and miRNAs between cells and tissues. The specific functions of EVs principally depend on the internal cargo, which upon delivery to target cells trigger signal events that modulate cellular functions. The vesicular cargo is greatly influenced by genetic, pathological, and environmental factors. This finding provides the basis for investigating potential clinical applications of EVs as therapeutic targets or diagnostic biomarkers. Here, we review current knowledge on the biogenesis and cargo composition of EVs in general terms. We then focus the attention to EVs released by cells of the intestinal mucosa and their impact on intestinal homeostasis in health and disease. We specifically highlight their role on epithelial barrier integrity, wound healing of epithelial cells, immunity, and microbiota shaping. Microbiota-derived EVs are not reviewed here.


2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yin-Fu Sun ◽  
Jiang Pi ◽  
Jun-Fa Xu

Exosomes are cell-derived nanovesicles carrying protein, lipid, and nucleic acid for secreting cells, and act as significant signal transport vectors for cell-cell communication and immune modulation. Immune-cell-derived exosomes have been found to contain molecules involved in immunological pathways, such as MHCII, cytokines, and pathogenic antigens. Tuberculosis (TB), caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB), remains one of the most fatal infectious diseases. The pathogen for tuberculosis escapes the immune defense and continues to replicate despite rigorous and complicate host cell mechanisms. The infected-cell-derived exosomes under this circumstance are found to trigger different immune responses, such as inflammation, antigen presentation, and activate subsequent pathways, highlighting the critical role of exosomes in anti-MTB immune response. Additionally, as a novel kind of delivery system, exosomes show potential in developing new vaccination and treatment of tuberculosis. We here summarize recent research progress regarding exosomes in the immune environment during MTB infection, and further discuss the potential of exosomes as delivery system for novel anti-MTB vaccines and therapies.


2018 ◽  
Vol 97 (8) ◽  
pp. 859-868 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Liu ◽  
Y. Sun ◽  
Q. Zhang

Extracellular vesicles (EVs), as nanometer-scale particles, include exosomes, microvesicles, and apoptotic bodies. EVs are released by most cell types, such as bone marrow stem cells, osteoblasts, osteoclasts, and immune cells. In bone-remodeling microenvironments, EVs deliver specific proteins (e.g., tenascin C and Sema4D), microRNAs (e.g., miR-214-3p, miR-183-5p, and miR-196a), and other growth factors (e.g., bone morphogenetic protein 1 to 7 and transforming growth factor β1) to osteoblasts and regulate bone formation. In addition, EVs can deliver cytokines, such as RANK (receptor activator of nuclear factor κB) and RANKL (RANK ligand), and microRNAs, such as miR-218 and miR-148a, to modulate osteoclast differentiation during bone resorption. EVs also transfer bioactive molecules and have targeted therapies in bone-related diseases. Moreover, bioactive molecules in EVs are biomarkers in bone-related diseases. We highlight the emerging role of EVs in bone remodeling during physiologic and pathologic conditions and summarize the role of EVs in tooth development and regeneration. At the end of this review, we discuss the challenges of EV application in the treatment of bone diseases.


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