Effects of Exosomes on Tumor Bioregulation and Diagnosis

Expanding the role of exosomes in drug, biomolecule, and nanoparticle delivery

Exosomes are nanoscale extracellular vesicles released by diverse cell types, serving essential functions in intercellular communication and physiological processes. These vesicles have garnered considerable interest in recent years for their potential as drug delivery systems, attributed to their natural origin, minimal immunogenicity, high biocompatibility, and capacity to traverse biological barriers, including the blood-brain barrier. Exosomes can be obtained from diverse biological fluids, rendering them accessible and versatile vehicles for therapeutic medicines. This study emphasizes the burgeoning significance of exosomes in drug administration, concentrating on their benefits, including improved stability, target selectivity, and the capacity to encapsulate various biomolecules, such as proteins, nucleic acids, and small molecules. Notwithstanding their potential applications, other problems remain, including as effective drug loading, industrial scalability, and the standardization of isolation methodologies. Overcoming these hurdles via new research is essential for fully harnessing the promise of exosomes in therapeutic applications, especially in the treatment of intricate diseases like cancer and neurological disorders.

The effect of cancer cell-derived exosomal proteins on macrophage polarization: An in-depth review

Cancer is characterized by unregulated cell proliferation, enabling it to invade and spread to different organs and tissues in the body. Cancer progression is intricately influenced by the complex dynamics within the tumor microenvironment (TME). The TME is a composite and dynamic network comprising cancer cells and various immune cells, including tumor-associated macrophages. Exosomes facilitate the communication between different cancer cells as well as other types of cells. This review particularly focuses on exosomal proteins derived from different cancer cells in mounting the complex crosstalk between cells of cancer and macrophages within the TME. Most cancer-derived exosomal proteins polarize macrophages towards M2 phenotype, promoting cancer aggressiveness, while a few have role switching towards the M1 phenotype, inhibiting cancer proliferation, respectively. In this review, we summarize, for the first time, the dual impact of cancer cell-derived exosomal proteins on macrophage polarization and the associated signaling pathways, offering valuable insights for developing innovative therapeutic strategies against diverse cancer types.

Biological functions of extracellular vesicle double C2-like domain beta in cervical cancer

Double C-2 Like Domain Beta (DOC2B) located at 17q13.3 prevents metastasis by senescence induction and epithelial to mesenchymal transition inhibition in cervical cancer (CC). The extracellular vesicle (EV) mediated trafficking of DOC2B and its impact on tumor suppressive activity are not investigated in CC. Using a retroviral method, we first ectopically expressed DOC2B in SiHa, which do not normally express DOC2B. DOC2B-SiHa and vector-SiHa EVs were co-incubated separately with recipient cell and subjected to various cellular and biochemical experiments. For the first time, we demonstrated that DOC2B localizes to EVs, and its transfer to EV may require intracellular calcium. Co-culture of SiHa and HeLa cells with DOC2B-SiHa derived EVs induced morphological changes and suppressed their growth and migration, possibly by induction of G0/G1 to S phase arrest and anoikis. DOC2B-SiHa EVs elevated intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) and calcium levels and promoted lipid droplet accumulation and lipid peroxidation rate in recipient cells. DOC2B-SiHa EVs reduced active AKT1 and ERK1/2 levels and EMT marker expression and enhanced cellular senescence and cytotoxic effects of cisplatin. Re-expression of DOC2B significantly altered the global metabolite profile of EVs.  Finally, we demonstrated that intracellular calcium chelation significantly reduces DOC2B localization to EVs and impacts its tumor-suppressive properties. Altogether, EV-mediated DOC2B transfer may reduce the aggressive behavior of CC cells.

Enhancing Extracellular Vesicle Detection via Cotargeting Tetraspanin Biomarkers

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are emerging as key diagnostic biomarkers due to their widespread presence in body fluids and the proteins on their surfaces, which reflect the identity and condition of their parent cells. Research has focused on detecting EVs with biosensors that target individual transmembrane proteins (TMPs) like tetraspanins. However, due to TMP heterogeneity and the formation of tetraspanin-enriched microdomains (TEMs), cotargeting multiple TMPs is a promising strategy for enhancing EV detection. In this work, we introduce a dual-antibody surface functionalization approach using surface plasmon resonance (SPR) biosensors to cotarget tetraspanins on EVs derived from mouse macrophages. The expression of EV tetraspanin markers followed the trend of CD9 > CD63 > CD81, which was consistent with the EV detection targeting their nontetraspanin partners, exhibiting LFA-1 > ICAM-1 > VCAM-1, and suggesting a differential role of tetraspanins with their associated TMPs. Cotargeting EV tetraspanins via CD81/CD63, CD81/CD9, and CD63/CD9 dual monoclonal antibody surfaces resulted in higher EV detection compared to predictions based on binding with two monoclonal antibodies against tetraspanins without cotargeting. Furthermore, the optimization of dual monoclonal antibody surface ratios to improve cotargeting effect yielded a statistically significant enhancement in the sensitivity of EV detection. These findings underscore the importance of TEMs in designing EV-based biosensing platforms to achieve optimized sensitivity in EV detection.

Molecular insights to therapeutic in cancer: role of exosomes in tumor microenvironment, metastatic progression and drug resistance

Exosomes play a pivotal part in cancer progression and metastasis by transferring various biomolecules. Recent research highlights their involvement in tumor microenvironment remodeling, mediating metastasis, tumor heterogeneity and drug resistance. The unique cargo carried by exosomes garners the interest of researchers owing to its potential as a stage-specific biomarker for early cancer detection and its role in monitoring personalized treatment. However, unanswered questions hinder a comprehensive understanding of exosomes and their cargo in this context. This review discusses recent advancements and proposes novel ideas for exploring exosomes in cancer progression, aiming to deepen our understanding and improve treatment approaches.

Plant-derived extracellular nanovesicles: a promising biomedical approach for effective targeting of triple negative breast cancer cells

Introduction: Triple negative breast cancer (TNBC), a highly aggressive subtype accounting for 15-20% of all breast cancer cases, faces limited treatment options often accompanied by severe side effects. In recent years, natural extracellular nanovesicles derived from plants have emerged as promising candidates for cancer therapy, given their safety profile marked by non-immunogenicity and absence of inflammatory responses. Nevertheless, the potential anti-cancer effects of Citrus limon L.-derived extracellular nanovesicles (CLENs) for breast cancer treatment is still unexplored. Methods: In this study, we investigated the anti-cancer effects of CLENs on two TNBC cell lines (4T1 and HCC-1806 cells) under growth conditions in 2D and 3D culture environments. The cellular uptake efficiency of CLENs and their internalization mechanism were evaluated in both cells using confocal microscopy. Thereafter, we assessed the effect of different concentrations of CLENs on cell viability over time using a dual approach of Calcein-AM PI live-dead assay and CellTiter-Glo bioluminescence assay. We also examined the influence of CLENs on the migratory and evasion abilities of TNBC cells through wound healing and 3D Matrigel drop evasion assays. Furthermore, Western blot analysis was employed to investigate the effects of CLENs on the phosphorylation levels of phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K), protein kinase B (AKT), and extracellular signal- regulated kinase (ERK) expression. Results: We found that CLENs were internalized by the cells via endocytosis, leading to decreased cell viability, in a dose- and time-dependent manner. Additionally, the migration and evasion abilities of TNBC cells were significantly inhibited under exposed to 40 and 80 μg/mL CLENs. Furthermore, down-regulated expression levels of phosphorylated phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K), protein kinase B (AKT), and extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK), suggesting that the inhibition of cancer cell proliferation, migration, and evasion is driven by the inhibition of the PI3K/AKT and MAPK/ERK signaling pathways. Discussion: Overall, our results demonstrate the anti-tumor efficiency of CLENs against TNBC cells, highlighting their potential as promising natural anti-cancer agents for clinical applications in cancer treatment.

Exosomal circRNAs: Novel biomarkers and therapeutic targets for urinary tumors

Exosomal circRNAs have emerged as promising biomarkers and therapeutic targets for urinary tumors. In this review, we explored the intricate role of exosomal circRNAs in urological cancers, focusing on their biological functions, dysregulation in tumors, and potential clinical applications. The review delves into the mechanisms by which exosomal circRNAs contribute to tumor progression and highlights their diagnostic and therapeutic implications. By synthesizing current research findings, we present a compelling case for the significance of exosomal circRNAs in the context of urinary tumors. Furthermore, the review discusses the challenges and opportunities associated with utilizing exosomal circRNAs as diagnostic tools and targeted therapeutic agents. There is a need for further research to elucidate the specific mechanisms of exosomal circRNA secretion and delivery, as well as to enhance the detection methods for clinical translational applications. Overall, this comprehensive review underscores the pivotal role of exosomal circRNAs in urinary tumors and underscores their potential as valuable biomarkers and therapeutic tools in the management of urological cancers.

Protein cargo in extracellular vesicles as the key mediator in the progression of cancer

Exosomes are small vesicles of endosomal origin that are released by almost all cell types, even those that are pathologically altered. Exosomes widely participate in cell-to-cell communication via transferring cargo, including nucleic acids, proteins, and other metabolites, into recipient cells. Tumour-derived exosomes (TDEs) participate in many important molecular pathways and affect various hallmarks of cancer, including fibroblasts activation, modification of the tumour microenvironment (TME), modulation of immune responses, angiogenesis promotion, setting the pre-metastatic niche, enhancing metastatic potential, and affecting therapy sensitivity and resistance. The unique exosome biogenesis, composition, nontoxicity, and ability to target specific tumour cells bring up their use as promising drug carriers and cancer biomarkers. In this review, we focus on the role of exosomes, with an emphasis on their protein cargo, in the key mechanisms promoting cancer progression. We also briefly summarise the mechanism of exosome biogenesis, its structure, protein composition, and potential as a signalling hub in both normal and pathological conditions. Video Abstract.

Unlocking Exosome-Based Theragnostic Signatures: Deciphering Secrets of Ovarian Cancer Metastasis

Ovarian cancer (OC) is a common gynecological cancer worldwide. Unfortunately, the lack of early detection methods translates into a substantial cohort of women grappling with the pressing health crisis. The discovery of extracellular vesicles (EVs) (their major subpopulation exosomes, microvesicles, and apoptotic bodies) has provided new insights into the understanding of cancer. Exosomes, a subpopulation of EVs, play a crucial role in cellular communication and reflect the cellular status under both healthy and pathological conditions. Tumor-derived exosomes (TEXs) dynamically influence ovarian cancer progression by regulating uncontrolled cell growth, immune suppression, angiogenesis, metastasis, and the development of drug and therapeutic resistance. In the field of OC diagnostics, TEXs offer potential biomarkers in various body fluids. On the other hand, exosomes have also shown promising abilities to cure ovarian cancer. In this review, we address the interlink between exosomes and ovarian cancer and explore their theragnostic signature. Finally, we highlight future directions of exosome-based ovarian cancer research.

Current Advances in the Biomedical Applications of Quantum Dots: Promises and Challenges

Quantum dots (QDs) are a type of nanoparticle with exceptional photobleaching-resistant fluorescence. They are highly sought after for their potential use in various optical-based biomedical applications. However, there are still concerns regarding the use of quantum dots. As such, much effort has been invested into understanding the mechanisms behind the behaviors of QDs, so as to develop safer and more biocompatible quantum dots. In this mini-review, we provide an update on the recent advancements regarding the use of QDs in various biomedical applications. In addition, we also discuss# the current challenges and limitations in the use of QDs and propose a few areas of interest for future research.