The role of human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells-derived exosomal microRNA-431-5p in survival and prognosis of colorectal cancer patients

Dual role of mesenchymal stem/stromal cells and their cell-free extracellular vesicles in colorectal cancer

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the main causes of cancer-related deaths. However, the surgical control of the CRC progression is difficult, and in most cases, the metastasis leads to cancer-related mortality. Mesenchymal stem/stromal cells (MSCs) with potential translational applications in regenerative medicine have been widely researched for several years. MSCs could affect tumor development through secreting exosomes. The beneficial properties of stem cells are attributed to their cell-cell interactions as well as the secretion of paracrine factors in the tissue microenvironment. For several years, exosomes have been used as a cell-free therapy to regulate the fate of tumor cells in a tumor microenvironment. This review discusses the recent advances and current understanding of assessing MSC-derived exosomes for possible cell-free therapy in CRC.

Exosomal circ_0037104 derived from Hu-MSCs inhibits cholangiocarcinoma progression by sponging miR-620 and targeting AFAP1

Exosomes are membrane-enclosed nanovesicles that shuttle active cargoes, such as circular RNAs (circRNAs) and microRNAs (miRNAs), between different cells. Human umbilical cord-derived mesenchymal stem cells (Hu-MSCs) can migrate to tumor sites and exert complex functions throughout tumor progression. In this study, we successfully isolated Hu-MSCs from human umbilical cords based on their surface marker expression. Hu-MSC-derived exosomes significantly reduced the invasion, migration, and proliferation of cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) cells. Furthermore, circ_0037104 was downregulated in CCA and inhibited the proliferation and metastasis of CCA cells. Then, we investigated the effect of Hu-MSC-derived exosomal circ_0037104 on CCA. Circ_0037104 mainly regulates miR-620 and enhances APAF1 expression, inhibiting CCA cell proliferation and metastasis. Overall, Hu-MSC exosomal circ_0037104 contributes to the progression and stemness of CCA cells via miR-620/APAF1. In conclusion, Hu-MSC-derived exosomal circ_0037104 sponges miR-620 directly and negatively targets APAF1 to suppress CCA.

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

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

Emerging Roles of Using Small Extracellular Vesicles as an Anti-Cancer Drug

Small extracellular vesicles (sEVs) are emerging as a novel therapeutic strategy for cancer therapy. Tumor-cell-derived sEVs contain biomolecules that can be utilized for cancer diagnosis. sEVs can directly exert tumor-killing effects or modulate the tumor microenvironment, leading to anti-cancer effects. In this review, the application of sEVs as a diagnostic tool, drug delivery system, and active pharmaceutical ingredient for cancer therapy will be highlighted. The therapeutic efficacies of sEVs will be compared to conventional immune checkpoint inhibitors. Additionally, this review will provide strategies for sEV engineering to enhance the therapeutic efficacies of sEVs. As a bench-to-bedside application, we will discuss approaches to encourage good-manufacturing-practice-compliant industrial-scale manufacturing and purification of sEVs.

Progress of regulatory RNA in small extracellular vesicles in colorectal cancer

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the second most common malignant tumor of the gastrointestinal tract with the second highest mortality rate and the third highest incidence rate. Early diagnosis and treatment are important measures to reduce CRC mortality. Small extracellular vesicles (sEVs) have emerged as key mediators that facilitate communication between tumor cells and various other cells, playing a significant role in the growth, invasion, and metastasis of cancer cells. Regulatory RNAs have been identified as potential biomarkers for early diagnosis and prognosis of CRC, serving as crucial factors in promoting CRC cell proliferation, invasion and metastasis, angiogenesis, drug resistance, and immune cell differentiation. This review provides a comprehensive summary of the vital role of sEVs as biomarkers in CRC diagnosis and their potential application in CRC treatment, highlighting their importance as a promising avenue for further research and clinical translation.

Prognostic risk factors of serous ovarian carcinoma based on mesenchymal stem cell phenotype and guidance for therapeutic efficacy

BACKGROUND

Epithelial ovarian cancer is the leading cause of death from gynecologic cancer, in which serous ovarian carcinoma (SOC) is the most common histological subtype. Although PARP inhibitors (PARPi) and antiangiogenics have been accepted as maintenance treatment in SOC, response to immunotherapy of SOC patients is limited.

METHODS

The source of transcriptomic data of SOC was from the Cancer Genome Atlas database and Gene Expression Omnibus. The abundance scores of mesenchymal stem cells (MSC scores) were estimated for each sample by xCell. Weighted correlation network analysis is correlated the significant genes with MSC scores. Based on prognostic risk model construction with Cox regression analysis, patients with SOC were divided into low- and high-risk groups. And distribution of immune cells, immunosuppressors and pro-angiogenic factors in different risk groups was achieved by single-sample gene set enrichment analysis. The risk model of MSC scores was further validated in datasets of immune checkpoint blockade and antiangiogenic therapy. In the experiment, the mRNA expression of prognostic genes related to MSC scores was detected by real-time polymerase chain reaction, while the protein level was evaluated by immunohistochemistry.

RESULTS

Three prognostic genes (PER1, AKAP12 and MMP17) were the constituents of risk model. Patients classified as high-risk exhibited worse prognosis, presented with an immunosuppressive phenotype, and demonstrated high micro-vessel density. Additionally, these patients were insensitive to immunotherapy and would achieve a longer overall survival with antiangiogenesis treatment. The validation experiments showed that the mRNA of PER1, AKAP12, and MMP17 was highly expressed in normal ovarian epithelial cells compared to SOC cell lines and there was a positive correlation between protein levels of PER1, AKAP12 and MMP17 and metastasis in human ovarian serous tumors.

CONCLUSION

This prognostic model established on MSC scores can predict prognosis of patients and provide the guidance for patients receiving immunotherapy and molecular targeted therapy. Because the number of prognostic genes was fewer than other signatures of SOC, it will be easily accessible on clinic.

miRNA-Guided Regulation of Mesenchymal Stem Cells Derived from the Umbilical Cord: Paving the Way for Stem-Cell Based Regeneration and Therapy

The human body is an abundant source of multipotent cells primed with unique properties that can be exploited in a multitude of applications and interventions. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) represent a heterogenous population of undifferentiated cells programmed to self-renew and, depending on their origin, differentiate into distinct lineages. Alongside their proven ability to transmigrate toward inflammation sites, the secretion of various factors that participate in tissue regeneration and their immunoregulatory function render MSCs attractive candidates for use in the cytotherapy of a wide spectrum of diseases and conditions, as well as in different aspects of regenerative medicine. In particular, MSCs that can be found in fetal, perinatal, or neonatal tissues possess additional capabilities, including predominant proliferation potential, increased responsiveness to environmental stimuli, and hypoimmunogenicity. Since microRNA (miRNA)-guided gene regulation governs multiple cellular functions, miRNAs are increasingly being studied in the context of driving the differentiation process of MSCs. In the present review, we explore the mechanisms of miRNA-directed differentiation of MSCs, with a special focus on umbilical cord-derived mesenchymal stem cells (UCMSCs), and we identify the most relevant miRNAs and miRNA sets and signatures. Overall, we discuss the potent exploitations of miRNA-driven multi-lineage differentiation and regulation of UCMSCs in regenerative and therapeutic protocols against a range of diseases and/or injuries that will achieve a meaningful clinical impact through maximizing treatment success rates, while lacking severe adverse events.

New insights into the roles of peroxiredoxins in cancer

Oxidative stress is one of the hallmarks of cancer. Tumorigenesis and progression are accompanied by elevated reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels and adaptive elevation of antioxidant expression levels. Peroxiredoxins (PRDXs) are among the most important antioxidants and are widely distributed in a variety of cancers. PRDXs are involved in the regulation of a variety of tumor cell phenotypes, such as invasion, migration, epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and stemness. PRDXs are also associated with tumor cell resistance to cell death, such as apoptosis and ferroptosis. In addition, PRDXs are involved in the transduction of hypoxic signals in the TME and in the regulation of the function of other cellular components of the TME, such as cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs), natural killer (NK) cells and macrophages. This implies that PRDXs are promising targets for cancer treatment. Of course, further studies are needed to realize the clinical application of targeting PRDXs. In this review, we highlight the role of PRDXs in cancer, summarizing the basic features of PRDXs, their association with tumorigenesis, their expression and function in cancer, and their relationship with cancer therapeutic resistance.

Dynamic Role of Exosome microRNAs in Cancer Cell Signaling and Their Emerging Role as Noninvasive Biomarkers

Exosomes are extracellular vesicles that originate from endosomes and are released by all cells irrespective of their origin or type. They play an important role in cell communication and can act in an autocrine, endocrine, or paracrine fashion. They are 40-150 nm in diameter and have a similar composition to the cell of origin. An exosome released by a particular cell is unique since it carries information about the state of the cell in pathological conditions such as cancer. miRNAs carried by cancer-derived exosomes play a multifaceted role by taking part in cell proliferation, invasion, metastasis, epithelial-mesenchymal transition, angiogenesis, apoptosis, and immune evasion. Depending on the type of miRNA that it carries as its cargo, it can render cells chemo- or radiosensitive or resistant and can also act as a tumor suppressor. Since the composition of exosomes is affected by the cellular state, stress, and changes in the environment, they can be used as diagnostic or prognostic biomarkers. Their unique ability to cross biological barriers makes them an excellent choice as vehicles for drug delivery. Because of their easy availability and stability, they can be used to replace cancer biopsies, which are invasive and expensive. Exosomes can also be used to follow the progression of diseases and monitor treatment strategies. A better understanding of the roles and functions of exosomal miRNA can be used to develop noninvasive, innovative, and novel treatments for cancer.

Emerging Roles of Mesenchymal Stem/Stromal-Cell-Derived Extracellular Vesicles in Cancer Therapy

Despite the tremendous efforts of many researchers and clinicians, cancer remains the second leading cause of mortality worldwide. Mesenchymal stem/stromal cells (MSCs) are multipotent cells residing in numerous human tissues and presenting unique biological properties, such as low immunogenicity, powerful immunomodulatory and immunosuppressive capabilities, and, in particular, homing abilities. Therapeutic functions of MSCs are mediated mostly by the paracrine effect of released functional molecules and other variable components, and among them the MSC-derived extracellular vesicles (MSC-EVs) seem to be one of the central mediators of the therapeutic functions of MSCs. MSC-EVs are membrane structures secreted by the MSCs, rich in specific proteins, lipids, and nucleic acids. Amongst these, microRNAs have achieved the most attention currently. Unmodified MSC-EVs can promote or inhibit tumor growth, while modified MSC-EVs are involved in the suppression of cancer progression via the delivery of therapeutic molecules, including miRNAs, specific siRNAs, or suicide RNAs, as well as chemotherapeutic drugs. Here, we present an overview of the characteristics of the MSCs-EVs and describe the current methods for their isolation and analysis, the content of their cargo, and modalities for the modification of MSC-EVs in order for them to be used as drug delivery vehicles. Finally, we describe different roles of MSC-EVs in the tumor microenvironment and summarize current advances of MCS-EVs in cancer research and therapy. MSC-EVs are expected to be a novel and promising cell-free therapeutic drug delivery vehicle for the treatment of cancer.

The Role of Peroxiredoxins in Cancer Development

Peroxiredoxins (Prxs) are antioxidant enzymes with ubiquitous expression in human tissues. Prxs are expressed in archaea, bacteria, and eukaryota, often in multiple isoforms. Because of their abundant expression in different cellular organelles and extraordinary sensitivity to H2O2, Prxs are among the first defenses against oxidative stress. Prxs undergo reversible oxidation to disulfides, and some family members perform chaperone or phospholipase functions upon further oxidation. Prxs are upregulated in cancer cells. Research has suggested that Prxs can function as tumor promoters in various cancers. The major objective of this review is to summarize novel findings regarding the roles of Prxs in common cancer types. Prxs have been shown to influence differentiation of inflammatory cells and fibroblasts, remodeling of extracellular matrix, and regulation of stemness. Since aggressive cancer cells have higher intracellular levels of ROS that they can utilize to proliferate and metastasize compared to normal cells, it is critical that we understand the regulation and functions of primary antioxidants such as Prxs. These small but mighty proteins could prove to be key for improving cancer therapeutics and patient survival.

Emerging roles of mesenchymal stem cell-derived exosomes in gastrointestinal cancers

Gastrointestinal tumours are the most common solid tumours, with a poor prognosis and remain a major challenge in cancer treatment. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) are multipotent stromal cells with the potential to differentiate into multiple cell types. Several studies have shown that MSC-derived exosomes have become essential regulators of intercellular communication in a variety of physiological and pathological processes. Notably, MSC-derived exosomes support or inhibit tumour progression in different cancers through the delivery of proteins, RNA, DNA, and bioactive lipids. Herein, we summarise current advances in MSC-derived exosomes in cancer research, with particular reference to their role in gastrointestinal tumour development. MSC-derived exosomes are expected to be a novel potential strategy for the treatment of gastrointestinal cancers.