Sulfisoxazole does not inhibit the secretion of small extracellular vesicles

Advances in isoxazole chemistry and their role in drug discovery

Isoxazoles are a class of five-membered heterocyclic compounds that have gained significant attention in medicinal chemistry due to their diverse biological activities and therapeutic potential. Recent advances in isoxazole chemistry have led to the development of novel synthetic strategies, enabling the creation of a wide array of isoxazole derivatives with enhanced bioactivity and selectivity. This review explores the latest progress in isoxazole synthesis, highlighting key methodologies such as transition metal-catalyzed cycloadditions, green chemistry approaches, and regioselective functionalization techniques. These advances have not only improved the efficiency of isoxazole synthesis but have also facilitated the design of more complex and bioactive derivatives. In addition to their synthetic advances, isoxazoles have demonstrated a broad spectrum of biological activities, including antimicrobial, anticancer, anti-inflammatory, and neuroprotective effects, making them attractive candidates in drug discovery. This review discusses the structural modifications that enhance their pharmacological properties and their potential for developing therapies for diseases such as cancer, neurodegenerative disorders, and infections. Moreover, we examine the emerging trends in isoxazole-based drug discovery, such as the development of multi-targeted therapies and personalized medicine approaches. The evolving role of isoxazoles in drug discovery underscores their continued importance in modern pharmaceutical research and their potential to address unmet medical needs.

A study on the production of extracellular vesicles derived from novel immortalized human placental mesenchymal stromal cells

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are not only involved in cell-to-cell communications but have other functions as "garbage bags", as bringing nutrients to cells, and as inducing mineral during bone formation and ectopic calcification. These minuscule entities significantly contribute to the regulation of bodily functions. However, the clinical application of EVs faces challenges due to limited production yield and targeting efficiency. In our study, we propose a method for efficiently harvesting EVs utilizing simian virus 40 large T antigen (SV40LT) immortalized human placental chorionic mesenchymal stromal cells (CMSCs). We investigated immortalized placental chorionic mesenchymal stromal cells (imCMSCs), a stromal cell line that surpasses the growth limitations of primary passage cells while retaining phenotypic characteristics and differentiation potential. This development offers the prospect of a consistent, uniform source of EVs, which is essential for regenerative medicine. Our findings indicate that the immortalization process preserves the particle size, quantity and surface marker profiles of EVs, providing a possible approach to produce high-yield EVs suitable for disease diagnosis and treatment.

Developing anti-TDE vaccine for sensitizing cancer cells to treatment and metastasis control

Tumor-derived exosomes (TDEs) mediate oncogenic communication, which modifies target cells to reinforce a tumor-promoting microenvironment. TDEs support cancer progression by suppressing anti-tumor immune responses, promoting metastasis, and conferring drug resistance. Thus, targeting TDEs could improve the efficacy of anti-cancer treatments and control metastasis. Current strategies to inhibit TDE-mediated oncogenic communication including drug-based and genetic modification-based inhibition of TDE release and/or uptake, have proved to be inefficient. In this work, we propose TDE surface engineering to express foreign antigens that will trigger life-long anti-TDE immune responses. The possibility of combining the anti-TDE vaccines with other treatments such as chemotherapy, radiotherapy, targeted therapy, and surgery is also explored.

Shortcomings, limitations and gaps in physiological roles of extracellular vesicles in obesity

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) play a crucial role in mediating communication between cells across species and kingdoms. The intercellular communication facilitated by EVs through autocrine and paracrine signalling mechanisms is essential for cell survival, maintaining normal metabolic functions and ensuring overall bodily homeostasis and health. Extracellular vesicles are present in various bodily fluids, such as pleural effusions, plasma, breast milk, amniotic fluid, semen and saliva. Additionally, the generation and release of EVs contribute to the removal of cellular waste. Patients with obesity exhibit a higher release and amount of circulating EVs than individuals with normal weight. This increased EV release in obesity might contribute to the inflammatory state characteristic of this metabolic condition, because higher levels of pro-inflammatory molecules are found within their cargo. However, interpreting results related to EV abundance, cargo and biological actions can be complicated by several factors; these include variations in cell sources, a wide age range (from children to the elderly), a mix of females and males, medication use and health status, a range of body weights (from normal weight to morbid obesity) and differences between in vitro assays using cell lines versus primary cultures. This article addresses the shortcomings, limitations and gaps in knowledge, providing a framework for enhancing our understanding of the physiological effects of EVs on obesity.

Unlocking the Secrets of Extracellular Vesicles: Orchestrating Tumor Microenvironment Dynamics in Metastasis, Drug Resistance, and Immune Evasion

Extracellular vehicles (EVs) are gaining increasing recognition as central contributors to the intricate landscape of the tumor microenvironment (TME). This manuscript provides an extensive examination of the multifaceted roles played by EVs in shaping the TME, with a particular emphasis on their involvement in metastasis, drug resistance, and immune evasion. Metastasis, the process by which cancer cells disseminate to distant sites, remains a formidable challenge in cancer management. EVs, encompassing exosomes and microvesicles, have emerged as critical participants in this cascade of events. They facilitate the epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT), foster pre-metastatic niche establishment, and enhance the invasive potential of cancer cells. This manuscript delves into the intricate molecular mechanisms underpinning these processes, underscoring the therapeutic potential of targeting EVs to impede metastasis. Drug resistance represents a persistent impediment to successful cancer treatment. EVs are instrumental in intrinsic and acquired drug resistance, acting as mediators of intercellular communication. They ferry molecules like miRNAs and proteins, which confer resistance to conventional chemotherapy and targeted therapies. This manuscript scrutinizes the diverse strategies employed by EVs in propagating drug resistance while also considering innovative approaches involving EV-based drug delivery systems to counteract this phenomenon. Immune evasion is a hallmark of cancer, and EVs are central in sculpting the immunosuppressive milieu of the TME. Tumor-derived EVs thwart immune responses through various mechanisms, including T cell dysfunction induction, the expansion of regulatory T cells (Tregs), and polarization of macrophages towards an immunosuppressive phenotype. In addition, the manuscript explores the diagnostic potential of EVs as biomarkers and their role as therapeutic agents in immune checkpoint blockade therapies. This manuscript provides a comprehensive overview of EV's pivotal role in mediating intricate interactions within the TME, ultimately influencing cancer progression and therapeutic outcomes. A profound understanding of EV-mediated processes in metastasis, drug resistance, and immune evasion opens up promising avenues for developing innovative therapeutic strategies and identifying valuable biomarkers in the ongoing battle against cancer.

G protein-coupled receptors: a gateway to targeting oncogenic EVs?

Dysregulated intercellular communication is a key feature driving cancer progression. Recently, extracellular vesicles (EVs) have added a new channel to this dense communication network. Despite solid evidence that EVs are central mediators of dysregulated signaling in onco-pathological settings, this has yet to be translated into clinically actionable strategies. The heterogeneity of EV cargo molecules, plasticity of biogenesis routes, and large overlap with their role in physiological communication, complicate a potential targeting strategy. However, recent work has linked EV biology to perhaps the "most druggable" proteins - G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs). GPCR targeting accounts for ~60% of drugs in development and more than a third of all currently approved drugs, spanning almost all areas of medicine. Although several GPCRs have been linked to cancer initiation and progression, relatively few agents have made it into oncological regimes, suggesting that their potential is underexploited. Herein, we examine the molecular mechanisms linking GPCRs to EV communication in cancer settings. We propose that GPCRs hold potential in the search for EV-targeting in oncology.

Extracellular vesicles in acute respiratory distress syndrome: Understanding protective and harmful signaling for the development of new therapeutics

Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is a severe respiratory condition characterized by increased lung permeability, hyper-inflammatory state, and fluid leak into the alveolar spaces. ARDS is a heterogeneous disease, with multiple direct and indirect causes that result in a mortality of up to 40%. Due to the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, its incidence has increased up to ten-fold. Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are small liposome-like particles that mediate intercellular communication and play a major role in ARDS pathophysiology. Indeed, they participate in endothelial barrier dysfunction and permeability, neutrophil, and macrophage activation, and also in the development of a hypercoagulable state. A more thorough understanding of the variegated and cell-specific functions of EVs may lead to the development of safe and effective therapeutics. In this review, we have collected evidence of EVs role in ARDS, revise the main mechanisms of production and internalization and summarize the current therapeutical approaches that have shown the ability to modulate EV signaling.

Trends in research of exosomes associated with breast cancer over the past decade: a scientometric analysis

Introduction

Breast cancer remains a significant global health challenge, accounting for 2.3 million new cases in 2020 and ranking as the most prevalent cancer by incidence and the fourth in cancer-related mortality worldwide. In China, breast cancer also rapidly increases incidence and burden. The research of exosomes in breast cancer has attracted more and more attention and has a rapid development. Recognizing the pivotal role of exosomes in breast cancer research, we have undertaken a comprehensive scientometric analysis of pertinent scholarly articles published over the past decade to elucidate the current research landscape for researchers.

Methods

In this study, we gathered all pertinent publications from the Web of Science. Biblioshiny (a web interface for Bibliometrix), VOSviewer software, and CiteSpace software were used to analyze the information on publications, including global trends, countries, institutions, journals, authors, keywords, and citations.

Results

A total of 1,239 articles and 625 review articles were retrieved. The annual global publication output has an increased trend in recent decades overall. China contributed the most articles. The publications of the USA had the most total link strength. Nanjing Medical University had the most total link strength. The most relevant source was the International Journal of Molecular Sciences. Tang JH contributed the most articles and had the highest H-index, G-index, and total link strength. The most cited document was "Tumor exosome integrins determine organotropic metastasis", with 2730 citations. The basic themes included "exosomes", "expression", "cells", "identification", "biomarkers", and "serum". The keyword "membrane vesicle" had the strongest bursts. The keywords "target", "biology", "suppressor cell", "molecular mechanism", "tumor progression", "inhibitor", and "model" appeared as prominent focal points in current research and active areas of exploration.

Conclusion

Over the past decade, exosome research in breast cancer has undergone a discernible evolution, shifting from broader investigations of exosome roles to focused exploration of specific pathways relevant to breast cancer. Notably, the emphasis has extended to the clinical application of exosomes as biomarkers and potential therapeutic agents in breast cancer treatment.

Photosensitive Small Extracellular Vesicles Regulate the Immune Microenvironment of Triple Negative Breast Cancer

Currently, the treatment of triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is limited by the special pathological characteristics of this disease. In recent years, photodynamic therapy (PDT) has created new hope for the treatment of TNBC. Moreover, PDT can induce immunogenic cell death (ICD) and improve tumor immunogenicity. However, even though PDT can improve the immunogenicity of TNBC, the inhibitory immune microenvironment of TNBC still weakens the antitumor immune response. Therefore, we used the neutral sphingomyelinase inhibitor GW4869 to inhibit the secretion of small extracellular vesicles (sEVs) by TNBC cells to improve the tumor immune microenvironment and enhance antitumor immunity. In addition, bone mesenchymal stem cell (BMSC)-derived sEVs have good biological safety and a strong drug loading capacity, which can effectively improve the efficiency of drug delivery. In this study, we first obtained primary BMSCs and sEVs, and then the photosensitizers Ce6 and GW4869 were loaded into the sEVs by electroporation to produce immunomodulatory photosensitive nanovesicles (Ce6-GW4869/sEVs). When administered to TNBC cells or orthotopic TNBC models, these photosensitive sEVs could specifically target TNBC and improve the tumor immune microenvironment. Moreover, PDT combined with GW4869-based therapy showed a potent synergistic antitumor effect mediated by direct killing of TNBC and activation of antitumor immunity. Here, we designed photosensitive sEVs that could target TNBC and regulate the tumor immune microenvironment, providing a potential approach for improving the effectiveness of TNBC treatment. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: We designed an immunomodulatory photosensitive nanovesicle (Ce6-GW4869/sEVs) with the photosensitizer Ce6 to achieve photodynamic therapy and the neutral sphingomyelinase inhibitor GW4869 to inhibit the secretion of small extracellular vesicles (sEVs) by triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) cells to improve the tumor immune microenvironment and enhance antitumor immunity. In this study, the immunomodulatory photosensitive nanovesicle could target TNBC cells and regulate the tumor immune microenvironment, thus providing a potential approach for improving the treatment effect in TNBC. We found that the reduction in tumor sEVs secretion induced by GW4869 improved the tumor-suppressive immune microenvironment. Moreover, similar therapeutic strategies can also be applied in other kinds of tumors, especially immunosuppressive tumors, which is of great value for the clinical translation of tumor immunotherapy.

Removing the stumbling block of exosome applications in clinical and translational medicine: expand production and improve accuracy

Although the clinical application and transformation of exosomes are still in the exploration stage, the prospects are promising and have a profound impact on the future transformation medicine of exosomes. However, due to the limitation of production and poor targeting ability of exosomes, the extensive and rich biological functions of exosomes are restricted, and the potential of clinical transformation is limited. The current research is committed to solving the above problems and expanding the clinical application value, but it lacks an extensive, multi-angle, and comprehensive systematic summary and prospect. Therefore, we reviewed the current optimization strategies of exosomes in medical applications, including the exogenous treatment of parent cells and the improvement of extraction methods, and compared their advantages and disadvantages. Subsequently, the targeting ability was improved by carrying drugs and engineering the structure of exosomes to solve the problem of poor targeting ability in clinical transformation. In addition, we discussed other problems that may exist in the application of exosomes. Although the clinical application and transformation of exosomes are still in the exploratory stage, the prospects are promising and have a profound impact on drug delivery, clinical diagnosis and treatment, and regenerative medicine.

Extracellular Vesicles Biogenesis, Cargo Sorting and Implications in Disease Conditions

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are small packages that contain proteins, lipids and nucleic acids and are released by various cell types [...].

Extracellular Vesicles as Drug Targets and Delivery Vehicles for Cancer Therapy

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are particles that are released from cells into the extracellular space both under pathological and normal conditions. It is now well established that cancer cells secrete more EVs compared to non-cancerous cells and that, captivatingly, several proteins that are involved in EV biogenesis and secretion are upregulated in various tumours. Recent studies have revealed that EVs facilitate the interaction between cancer cells and their microenvironment and play a substantial role in the growth of tumours. As EVs are involved in several aspects of cancer progression including angiogenesis, organotropism, pre-metastatic niche formation, fostering of metastasis, and chemoresistance, inhibiting the release of EVs from cancer and the surrounding tumour microenvironment cells has been proposed as an ideal strategy to treat cancer and associated paraneoplastic syndromes. Lately, EVs have shown immense benefits in preclinical settings as a novel drug delivery vehicle. This review provides a brief overview of the role of EVs in various hallmarks of cancer, focusing on (i) strategies to treat cancer by therapeutically targeting the release of tumour-derived EVs and (ii) EVs as valuable drug delivery vehicles. Furthermore, we also outline the drawbacks of the existing anti-cancer treatments and the future prospective of EV-based therapeutics.

Radiation induces ESCRT pathway dependent CD44v3+ extracellular vesicle production stimulating pro-tumor fibroblast activity in breast cancer

Despite recent advances in radiotherapeutic strategies, acquired resistance remains a major obstacle, leading to tumor recurrence for many patients. Once thought to be a strictly cancer cell intrinsic property, it is becoming increasingly clear that treatment-resistance is driven in part by complex interactions between cancer cells and non-transformed cells of the tumor microenvironment. Herein, we report that radiotherapy induces the production of extracellular vesicles by breast cancer cells capable of stimulating tumor-supporting fibroblast activity, facilitating tumor survival and promoting cancer stem-like cell expansion. This pro-tumor activity was associated with fibroblast production of the paracrine signaling factor IL-6 and was dependent on the expression of the heparan sulfate proteoglycan CD44v3 on the vesicle surface. Enzymatic removal or pharmaceutical inhibition of its heparan sulfate side chains disrupted this tumor-fibroblast crosstalk. Additionally, we show that the radiation-induced production of CD44v3⁺ vesicles is effectively silenced by blocking the ESCRT pathway using a soluble pharmacological inhibitor of MDA-9/Syntenin/SDCBP PDZ1 domain activity, PDZ1i. This population of vesicles was also detected in the sera of human patients undergoing radiotherapy, therefore representing a potential biomarker for radiation therapy and providing an opportunity for clinical intervention to improve treatment outcomes.

Harnessing the intrinsic photochemistry of isoxazoles for the development of chemoproteomic crosslinking methods

The intrinsic photochemistry of the isoxazole, a common heterocycle in medicinal chemistry, can be applied to offer an alternative to existing strategies using more perturbing, extrinsic photo-crosslinkers. The utility of isoxazole photo-crosslinking is demonstrated in a wide range of biologically relevant experiments, including common proteomics workflows.

The Emerging Role of Exosomes in Cancer Chemoresistance

Chemoresistance is an impending challenge in cancer treatment. In recent years, exosomes, a subtype of extracellular vesicles with a diameter of 40-150 nm in bloodstream and other bio-fluids, have attracted increasing interest. Exosomes contain proteins, nucleic acids, and lipids, which act as important signaling molecules. Many reports indicate that exosomes play critical roles in chemoresistance through intercellular interactions, including drug removal from cells, transfer of drug resistance phenotypes to other cancer cells, and the increase in plastic stem cell subsets. Exosomes can reflect the physiological and pathological state of parent cells. Owing to their elevated stability, specificity, and sensitivity, exosomes are served as biomarkers in liquid biopsies to monitor cancer chemoresistance, progression, and recurrence. This review summarizes the exosome-mediated mechanisms of cancer chemoresistance, as well as its role in reversing and monitoring chemoresistance. The scientific and technological challenges and future applications of exosomes are also explored.

Repurposing of Antibiotic Sulfisoxazole Inhibits Lipolysis in Pre-Clinical Model of Cancer-Associated Cachexia

Clinical management of cancer-associated cachexia, a multi-organ wasting syndrome, has been challenging without effective treatment strategies. An effective treatment that directly targets cancer-induced wasting is desperately needed to improve the quality of life and the survival of cancer patients. Recently, an antibiotic SFX was shown to have anti-tumour and anti-metastatic effects in mouse models of breast cancer. Hence, in this study, we examined the efficacy of SFX in the treatment of cancer-induced cachexia. C26 cachexic mice models were administered with SFX, and the tumour volume and body weight were regularly measured. Blood glucose, skeletal muscles, and adipose tissue were examined at the endpoint. Contrary to a previous study, SFX did not reduce the tumour volume in mice bearing C26 cells. Administration of SFX neither revealed any survival benefit nor rescued C26 cachectic mice from muscle wasting. Interestingly, SFX administration partially rescued (~10%) tumour-induced weight loss by preserving both the subcutaneous and intestinal fat mass. Together, these results suggest that the administration of SFX could partially rescue cancer-induced weight loss by inhibiting lipolysis. As anti-cachexia therapies are scarce, the results could facilitate the design of combinatorial therapies involving SFX, standard-of-care chemotherapeutics, and drugs that inhibit muscle atrophy for the treatment of cancer cachexia.

Oral administration of bovine milk-derived extracellular vesicles induces senescence in the primary tumor but accelerates cancer metastasis

The concept that extracellular vesicles (EVs) from the diet can be absorbed by the intestinal tract of the consuming organism, be bioavailable in various organs, and in-turn exert phenotypic changes is highly debatable. Here, we isolate EVs from both raw and commercial bovine milk and characterize them by electron microscopy, nanoparticle tracking analysis, western blotting, quantitative proteomics and small RNA sequencing analysis. Orally administered bovine milk-derived EVs survive the harsh degrading conditions of the gut, in mice, and is subsequently detected in multiple organs. Milk-derived EVs orally administered to mice implanted with colorectal and breast cancer cells reduce the primary tumor burden. Intriguingly, despite the reduction in primary tumor growth, milk-derived EVs accelerate metastasis in breast and pancreatic cancer mouse models. Proteomic and biochemical analysis reveal the induction of senescence and epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition in cancer cells upon treatment with milk-derived EVs. Timing of EV administration is critical as oral administration after resection of the primary tumor reverses the pro-metastatic effects of milk-derived EVs in breast cancer models. Taken together, our study provides context-based and opposing roles of milk-derived EVs as metastasis inducers and suppressors.