Natural killer cell-derived exosomes for cancer immunotherapy: innovative therapeutics art

NK Cell Exosomes Alleviate PD-L1 Expression and Facilitate Tumor Immunity by Repressing PI3K-AKT-mTOR Signaling

BACKGROUND

Liver cancer (LC) is a deadly malignancy with limited therapeutic options in recent years. Natural killer cell-derived exosomes (NK-exo), as an important bridge of information transmission between cells, also have a certain killing effect on tumor cells. On this basis, this study investigated the specific regulatory mechanism of NK-exo on LC cells.

METHODS

NK-exo was collected by differential centrifugation. The diameter and size distribution were characterized by dynamic light scattering (DLS), respectively. Western Blot (WB) assay detected the expression levels of exosome marker protein, PD-L1, and PI3K-AKT-mTOR signal-related proteins. The effect of NK-exo treatment on LC cell viability was measured by the CCK-8. With the use of CFDA·SE, we assessed the proliferation ability of CD8+T cells in direct co-culture with LC cells. The content of cytokines secreted by CD8+T cells in each treatment group was determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kits. We employed flow cytometry to analyze the expression of PD-L1 protein on the surface of LC cells and CD8 level in mice tumor tissues.

RESULTS

CCK-8 assay demonstrated that NK-exo repressed the cell viability of LC cells. WB uncovered that the protein expressions of PD-L1, p-AKT, and p-mTOR in NK-exo treated LC cells were decreased, which was returned to the control level after the addition of PI3K agonist. When NK-exo-treated LC cells were directly co-cultivated with CD8+T cells, the proliferation ability and cytokine secretion content of T cells were considerably elevated, and the expression of PD-L1 on LC cell surface was considerably reduced. However, these effects were restored to control levels by PI3K agonists.The in vivo experiments also confirmed that NK-exo could effectively inhibit the progression of LC, and the PI3K agonist could restore this effect to the level of the control group.

CONCLUSION

This study provided the first evidence that exosomes derived from NK cells inhibited the PI3K-AKT-mTOR signaling pathway in LC cells, and reduced PD-L1 expression, thereby promoting tumor immunity. In comparison to traditional immune checkpoint inhibitors, NK-exo possessed unique mechanisms of action and potential advantages. NK-exo holds the promise of becoming an innovative immunotherapy for the treatment of LC.

Exosomes derived from natural killer cells: transforming immunotherapy for aggressive breast cancer

Natural killer cell-derived exosomes (NK-Exos) hold great promise as immune modulators and immunotherapeutics against cancer due to their intrinsically latent anti-tumor effects. They use these nanosized vesicles to deliver cytotoxic molecules, such as perforin, granzymes, and miRNAs, directly to cancer cells to kill them, avoiding immune suppression. NK-Exos has particular efficacy for treating aggressive breast cancer by modulating the TME to activate the immune response and suppress immunosuppressive factors. Bioengineering advances have extended the therapeutic potential of NK-Exos, which permits precise tumor cell targeting and efficient delivery of therapeutic payloads, including small RNAs and chemotherapeutic agents. In engineered NK-Exos, sensitization of cancer cells to apoptosis, reduction of tumor growth, and resistance to drugs have been demonstrated to be highly effective. When combined, NK-Exos synergizes with radiotherapy, chemotherapy, or checkpoint inhibitors, enhancing therapeutic efficacy, and minimizing systemic toxicity. This review emphasizes the critical role of NK-Exos in breast cancer treatment, their integration into combination therapies, and the need for further research to overcome existing limitations and fully realize their clinical potential.

Current Understanding of Therapeutic and Diagnostic Applications of Exosomes in Pancreatic Cancer

ABSTRACT

Unusual symptoms, rapid progression, lack of reliable early diagnostic biomarkers, and lack of efficient treatment choices are the ongoing challenges of pancreatic cancer. Numerous research studies have demonstrated the correlation between exosomes and various aspects of pancreatic cancer. In light of these facts, exosomes possess the potential to play functional roles in the treatment, prognosis, and diagnosis of the pancreatic cancer. In the present study, we reviewed the most recent developments in approaches for exosome separation, modification, monitoring, and communication. Moreover, we discussed the clinical uses of exosomes as less invasive liquid biopsies and drug carriers and their contribution to the control of angiogenic activity of pancreatic cancer. Better investigation of exosome biology would help to effectively engineer therapeutic exosomes with certain nucleic acids, proteins, and even exogenous drugs as their cargo. Circulating exosomes have shown promise as reliable candidates for pancreatic cancer early diagnosis and monitoring in high-risk people without clinical cancer manifestation. Although we have tried to reflect the status of exosome applications in the treatment and detection of pancreatic cancer, it is evident that further studies and clinical trials are required before exosomes may be employed as a routine therapeutic and diagnostic tools for pancreatic cancer.

Enhanced Anti-Tumor Effects of Natural Killer Cell-Derived Exosomes Through Doxorubicin Delivery to Hepatocellular Carcinoma Cells: Cytotoxicity and Apoptosis Study

Exosomes are nanosized extracellular vesicles secreted by various cells, including natural killer (NK) cells, and are known for their low toxicity, high permeability, biocompatibility, and strong targeting ability. NK cell-derived exosomes (NK-exos) contain cytotoxic proteins that enhance tumor-targeting efficiency, making them suitable for treating solid tumors such as hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Despite their potential in drug delivery, the mechanisms of drug-loaded NK-exos, particularly those loaded with doxorubicin (NK-exos-Dox), remain unclear in HCC. This study explored the anti-tumor effects of NK-exos-Dox against Hep3B cells in vitro. NK-exos-Dox expressed exosome markers (CD9 and CD63) and cytotoxic proteins (granzyme B and perforin) and measured 170-220 nm in size. Compared to NK-exos, NK-exos-Dox enhanced cytotoxicity and apoptosis in Hep3B cells by upregulating pro-apoptotic proteins (Bax, cytochrome c, cleaved caspase 3, and cleaved PARP) and inhibiting the anti-apoptotic protein (Bcl-2). These findings suggest that NK-exos-Dox significantly boost anti-tumor effects by activating specific cytotoxic molecules, offering promising therapeutic opportunities for solid tumor treatment, including HCC.

Prognostic value of immunosuppression scores in patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma: a multicenter study

Introduction

The prognostic impact of human leukocyte antigen-E (HLA-E) expression and the proportion of natural killer (NK) cells in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) was investigated.

Methods

This study retrospectively evaluated 397 ESCC patients across two centers. The cumulative incidence of recurrence (CIR) and the incidence of tumor-related death (CID) were analyzed in various groups. An immunosuppression score (ISS) was developed based on HLA-E expression and NK cell proportion. Differences between groups were adjusted using inverse probability treatment weighting (IPTW). The factors influencing cancer-specific survival (CSS) and recurrence-free survival (RFS) were also examined.

Results

Patients with low HLA-E expression had significantly higher five-year CIR and CID compared to those with high expression (CIR: 20.7% vs. 45.1%, CID: 19.3% vs. 40.1%; p< 0.001). Similarly, NK cell-positive patients had significantly better five-year CIR and CID than NK cell-negative patients (CIR: 16.3% vs. 59.6%, CID: 13.9% vs. 53.7%; p < 0.001). The Sankey diagram indicated that the low ISS group had a lower recurrence and tumor-related mortality rate (p < 0.05). After IPTW adjustment, the low ISS group showed improved five-year RFS (80.1% vs. 35.4%, p < 0.001) and five-year CSS (82.3% vs. 42.5%, p < 0.001) compared to the high ISS group.

Conclusions

ESCC with different ISS statuses represents two distinct biological subtypes, underscoring the need for personalized treatment strategies tailored to varying tumor behaviors.

Immune Cell-Derived Exosomes: A Cell-Free Cutting-Edge Tumor Immunotherapy

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are cellular communication molecules and are classified into three major subpopulations, such as microvesicles, apoptotic bodies, and exosomes. Among these, exosomes-based cancer research is a cutting-edge investigation approach to cancer understanding. During cancer progression , tumor-derived exosomes can reprogram the cellular system and promote cancer. Circulating exosomes in the body fluids such as blood, plasma, serum, saliva, CSF, sweat, and tears play a key role in identifying diagnostic and prognostic cancer biomarkers. Diverse therapeutic sources of exosomes including stem cells, plants, and immune cells, etc. exhibit significant cancer-healing properties. Although cancer-targeting immunotherapy is an effective strategy, it has limitations such as toxicity, and high costs. In comparison, immune cell-derived exosomes-based immunotherapy is a cell-free approach for cancer treatment and has advantages like less toxicity, biocompatibility, reduced immunogenicity, and efficient, target-specific cancer therapeutic development. This review highlights the therapeutic signature of immune cell-derived exosomes for cancer treatment.

Focusing on exosomes to overcome the existing bottlenecks of CAR-T cell therapy

Since chimeric antigen receptor T (CAR-T) cells were introduced three decades ago, the treatment using these cells has led to outstanding outcomes, and at the moment, CAR-T cell therapy is a well-established mainstay for treating CD19 + malignancies and multiple myeloma. Despite the astonishing results of CAR-T cell therapy in B-cell-derived malignancies, several bottlenecks must be overcome to promote its safety and efficacy and broaden its applicability. These bottlenecks include cumbersome production process, safety concerns of viral vectors, poor efficacy in treating solid tumors, life-threatening side effects, and dysfunctionality of infused CAR-T cells over time. Exosomes are nano-sized vesicles that are secreted by all living cells and play an essential role in cellular crosstalk by bridging between cells. In this review, we discuss how the existing bottlenecks of CAR-T cell therapy can be overcome by focusing on exosomes. First, we delve into the effect of tumor-derived exosomes on the CAR-T cell function and discuss how inhibiting their secretion can enhance the efficacy of CAR-T cell therapy. Afterward, the application of exosomes to the manufacturing of CAR-T cells in a non-viral approach is discussed. We also review the latest advancements in ex vivo activation and cultivation of CAR-T cells using exosomes, as well as the potential of engineered exosomes to in vivo induction or boost the in vivo proliferation of CAR-T cells. Finally, we discuss how CAR-engineered exosomes can be used as a versatile tool for the direct killing of tumor cells or delivering intended therapeutic payloads in a targeted manner.

Biomimetic nanocarriers in cancer therapy: based on intercellular and cell-tumor microenvironment communication

Inspired by the concept of "natural camouflage," biomimetic drug delivery systems have emerged to address the limitations of traditional synthetic nanocarriers, such as poor targeting, susceptibility to identification and clearance, inadequate biocompatibility, low permeability, and systemic toxicity. Biomimetic nanocarriers retain the proteins, nucleic acids, and other components of the parent cells. They not only facilitate drug delivery but also serve as communication media to inhibit tumor cells. This paper delves into the communication mechanisms between various cell-derived biomimetic nanocarriers, tumor cells, and the tumor microenvironment, as well as their applications in drug delivery. In addition, the additional communication capabilities conferred on the modified biomimetic nanocarriers, such as targeting and environmental responsiveness, are outlined. Finally, we propose future development directions for biomimetic nanocarriers, hoping to inspire researchers in their design efforts and ultimately achieve clinical translation.

Finding potential targets in cell-based immunotherapy for handling the challenges of acute myeloid leukemia

Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is a hostile hematological malignancy under great danger of relapse and poor long-term survival rates, despite recent therapeutic advancements. To deal with this unfulfilled clinical necessity, innovative cell-based immunotherapies have surfaced as promising approaches to improve anti-tumor immunity and enhance patient outcomes. In this comprehensive review, we provide a detailed examination of the latest developments in cell-based immunotherapies for AML, including chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy, T-cell receptor (TCR)-engineered T-cell therapy, and natural killer (NK) cell-based therapies. We critically evaluate the unique mechanisms of action, current challenges, and evolving strategies to improve the efficacy and safety of these modalities. The review emphasizes how promising these cutting-edge immune-based strategies are in overcoming the inherent complexities and heterogeneity of AML. We discuss the identification of optimal target antigens, the importance of mitigating on-target/off-tumor toxicity, and the need to enhance the persistence and functionality of engineered immune effector cells. All things considered, this review offers a thorough overview of the rapidly evolving field of cell-based immunotherapy for AML, underscoring the significant progress made and the ongoing efforts to translate these innovative approaches into more effective and durable treatments for this devastating disease.

Sofosbuvir (+) daclatasvir (+) ribavirin in Egyptian patients with hepatitis C virus: Therapeutic outcomes and the prognostic role of natural killer cells

BACKGROUND

One of the prominent causes of chronic liver disease worldwide is the hepatitis C virus (HCV). HCV believed that innate immunity contributes to a sustained virological response (SVR) to the treatment of Sofosbuvir (SOF) (+) Daclatasvir (DCV) (+) Ribavirin (RBV). This study aimed to evaluate the impact of SOF (+) DCV (+) RBV therapy and persistent HCV infection on the subset of natural killer cells (NK) in HCV genotype four patients from Egypt.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

One hundred and ten patients with persistent HCV infections requiring SOF (+) DCV (+) RBV therapy were grouped, and a flow cytometry (FCM) study of the NK cell subset in peripheral blood was performed. The assessment was performed before and after three and/or six months of the cessation of viral suppression therapy when a patient had a long-term viral response (SVR). One hundred and ten volunteers from the National Liver Institute's (NLI) blood bank were selected as controls.

RESULTS

Patients with chronic HCV infection before therapy had considerably lower CD16+ and CD3- CD56+ cells than controls. Their levels increase during SOF (+) DCV (+) RBV therapy. In patients with SVR during treatment, CD16+ and CD3- CD56+ cells increased significantly compared to those who did not get SVR. Furthermore, CD56+ cells were significantly higher in patients with persistent infection before treatment than controls but diminished with the response to treatment.

CONCLUSION

NK cell activation following SOF (+) DCV (+) RBV therapy and polarization to cytotoxicity occurred early in HCV antiviral therapy and was elevated in the respondents. Our data illustrated that establishing an inhibitory cytotoxic NK profile is related to therapeutic outcomes.

Beyond CAR-T: The rise of CAR-NK cell therapy in asthma immunotherapy

Asthma poses a major public health burden. While existing asthma drugs manage symptoms for many, some patients remain resistant. The lack of a cure, especially for severe asthma, compels exploration of novel therapies. Cancer immunotherapy successes with CAR-T cells suggest its potential for asthma treatment. Researchers are exploring various approaches for allergic diseases including membrane-bound IgE, IL-5, PD-L2, and CTLA-4 for asthma, and Dectin-1 for fungal asthma. NK cells offer several advantages over T cells for CAR-based immunotherapy. They offer key benefits: (1) HLA compatibility, meaning they can be used in a wider range of patients without the need for matching tissue types. (2) Minimal side effects (CRS and GVHD) due to their limited persistence and cytokine profile. (3) Scalability for "off-the-shelf" production from various sources. Several strategies have been introduced that highlight the superiority and challenges of CAR-NK cell therapy for asthma treatment including IL-10, IFN-γ, ADCC, perforin-granzyme, FASL, KIR, NCRs (NKP46), DAP, DNAM-1, TGF-β, TNF-α, CCL, NKG2A, TF, and EGFR. Furthermore, we advocate for incorporating AI for CAR design optimization and CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing technology for precise gene manipulation to generate highly effective CAR constructs. This review will delve into the evolution and production of CAR designs, explore pre-clinical and clinical studies of CAR-based therapies in asthma, analyze strategies to optimize CAR-NK cell function, conduct a comparative analysis of CAR-T and CAR-NK cell therapy with their respective challenges, and finally present established novel CAR designs with promising potential for asthma treatment.

Exosomes: Their role in the diagnosis, progression, metastasis, and treatment of glioblastoma

Exosomes are crucial for the growth and spread of glioblastomas, an aggressive form of brain cancer. These tiny vesicles play a crucial role in the activation of signaling pathways and intercellular communication. They can also transfer a variety of biomolecules such as proteins, lipids and nucleic acids from donor to recipient cells. Exosomes can influence the immune response by regulating the activity of immune cells, and they are crucial for the growth and metastasis of glioblastoma cells. In addition, exosomes contribute to drug resistance during treatment, which is a major obstacle in the treatment of glioblastoma. By studying them, the diagnosis and prognosis of glioblastoma can be improved. Due to their high biocompatibility and lack of toxicity, they have become an attractive option for drug delivery. The development of exosomes as carriers of specific therapeutic agents could overcome some of the obstacles to effective treatment of glioblastoma. In this review, we address the potential of exosomes for the treatment of glioblastoma and show how they can be modified for this purpose.

Strategies for Small Extracellular Vesicle-Based Cancer Immunotherapy

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are lipid bilayer-enclosed vesicles released by cells. EVs encapsulate proteins and nucleic acids of their parental cell and efficiently deliver the cargo to recipient cells. These vesicles act as mediators of intercellular communication and thus play a crucial role in various physiological and pathological processes. Moreover, EVs hold promise for clinical use. They have been explored as drug delivery vehicles, therapeutic agents, and targets for disease diagnosis. In the landscape of cancer research, while strides have been made in EV-focused cancer physiopathology, liquid biopsy, and drug delivery, the exploration of EVs as immunotherapeutic agents may not have seen substantial progress to date. Despite promising findings reported in cell and animal studies, the clinical translation of EV-based cancer immunotherapeutics encounters challenges. Here, we review the existing strategies used in EV-based cancer immunotherapy, aiming to propel the development of this emerging yet crucial field.

CAR-NKT Cells in Asthma: Use of NKT as a Promising Cell for CAR Therapy

NKT cells, unique lymphocytes bridging innate and adaptive immunity, offer significant potential for managing inflammatory disorders like asthma. Activating iNKT induces increasing IFN-γ, TGF-β, IL-2, and IL-10 potentially suppressing allergic asthma. However, their immunomodulatory effects, including granzyme-perforin-mediated cytotoxicity, and expression of TIM-3 and TRAIL warrant careful consideration and targeted approaches. Although CAR-T cell therapy has achieved remarkable success in treating certain cancers, its limitations necessitate exploring alternative approaches. In this context, CAR-NKT cells emerge as a promising approach for overcoming these challenges, potentially achieving safer and more effective immunotherapies. Strategies involve targeting distinct IgE-receptors and their interactions with CAR-NKT cells, potentially disrupting allergen-mast cell/basophil interactions and preventing inflammatory cytokine release. Additionally, targeting immune checkpoints like PDL-2, inducible ICOS, FASL, CTLA-4, and CD137 or dectin-1 for fungal asthma could further modulate immune responses. Furthermore, artificial intelligence and machine learning hold immense promise for revolutionizing NKT cell-based asthma therapy. AI can optimize CAR-NKT cell functionalities, design personalized treatment strategies, and unlock a future of precise and effective care. This review discusses various approaches to enhancing CAR-NKT cell efficacy and longevity, along with the challenges and opportunities they present in the treatment of allergic asthma.

Current knowledge on therapeutic, diagnostic, and prognostics applications of exosomes in multiple myeloma: Opportunities and challenges

Interactions between the plasma cells and the BM microenvironment of Multiple myeloma (MM) take place through factors such as exosomes. Many studies have confirmed the role of exosomes in these interactions. By carrying proteins, cytokines, lipids, microRNAs, etc. as their cargo, exosomes can regulate the interactions between MM plasma cells and neighboring cells and participate in the signaling between cancer cells and the environment. It has been shown that MM-derived exosomes can induce angiogenesis, enhance osteoblast activity, confer drug resistance, and have immunosuppressive properties. Abnormal cargos in endosomes originating from MM patients, can be used as a cancer biomarker to detect or screen early prognosis in MM patients. The native nanostructure of exosomes, in addition to their biocompatibility, stability, and safety, make them excellent candidates for therapeutic, drug delivery, and immunomodulatory applications against MM. On the other hand, exosomes derived from dendritic cells (DC) may be used as vaccines against MM. Thanks to the development of new 'omics' approaches, we anticipate to hear more about exosomes in fight against MM. In the present review, we described the most current knowledge on the role of exosomes in MM pathogenesis and their potential role as novel biomarkers and therapeutic tools in MM.

Environmental pollutants and exosomes: A new paradigm in environmental health and disease

This study investigates the intricate interplay between environmental pollutants and exosomes, shedding light on a novel paradigm in environmental health and disease. Cellular stress, induced by environmental toxicants or disease, significantly impacts the production and composition of exosomes, crucial mediators of intercellular communication. The heat shock response (HSR) and unfolded protein response (UPR) pathways, activated during cellular stress, profoundly influence exosome generation, cargo sorting, and function, shaping intercellular communication and stress responses. Environmental pollutants, particularly lipophilic ones, directly interact with exosome lipid bilayers, potentially affecting membrane stability, release, and cellular uptake. The study reveals that exposure to environmental contaminants induces significant changes in exosomal proteins, miRNAs, and lipids, impacting cellular function and health. Understanding the impact of environmental pollutants on exosomal cargo holds promise for biomarkers of exposure, enabling non-invasive sample collection and real-time insights into ongoing cellular responses. This research explores the potential of exosomal biomarkers for early detection of health effects, assessing treatment efficacy, and population-wide screening. Overcoming challenges requires advanced isolation techniques, standardized protocols, and machine learning for data analysis. Integration with omics technologies enhances comprehensive molecular analysis, offering a holistic understanding of the complex regulatory network influenced by environmental pollutants. The study underscores the capability of exosomes in circulation as promising biomarkers for assessing environmental exposure and systemic health effects, contributing to advancements in environmental health research and disease prevention.

Harnessing the potential of nanoengineered siRNAs carriers for target responsive glioma therapy: Recent progress and future opportunities

Past scientific testimonials in the field of glioma research, the deadliest tumor among all brain cancer types with the life span of 10-15 months after diagnosis is considered as glioblastoma multiforme (GBM). Even though the availability of treatment options such as chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and surgery, are unable to completely cure GBM due to tumor microenvironment complexity, intrinsic cellular signalling, and genetic mutations which are involved in chemoresistance. The blood-brain barrier is accountable for restricting drugs entry at the tumor location and related biological challenges like endocytic degradation, short systemic circulation, and insufficient cellular penetration lead to tumor aggression and progression. The above stated challenges can be better mitigated by small interfering RNAs (siRNA) by knockdown genes responsible for tumor progression and resistance. However, siRNA encounters with challenges like inefficient cellular transfection, short circulation time, endogenous degradation, and off-target effects. The novel functionalized nanocarrier approach in conjunction with biological and chemical modification offers an intriguing potential to address challenges associated with the naked siRNA and efficiently silence STAT3, coffilin-1, EGFR, VEGF, SMO, MGMT, HAO-1, GPX-4, TfR, LDLR and galectin-1 genes in GBM tumor. This review highlights the nanoengineered siRNA carriers, their recent advancements, future perspectives, and strategies to overcome the systemic siRNA delivery challenges for glioma treatment.

A Smart DNA Hydrogel Enables Synergistic Immunotherapy and Photodynamic Therapy of Melanoma

Immunotherapy faces insufficient immune activation and limited immune effectiveness. Herein, we report a smart DNA hydrogel that enables the release of multivalent functional units at the tumor site to enhance the efficacy of immunotherapy. The smart DNA hydrogel was assembled from two types of ultra-long DNA chains synthesized via rolling circle amplification. One DNA chain contained immune adjuvant CpG oligonucleotides and polyaptamers for loading natural killer cell-derived exosomes; the other chain contained multivalent G-quadruplex for loading photodynamic agents. DNA chains formed DNA hydrogel through base-pairing. HhaI restriction endonuclease sites were designed between functional units. Upon stimuli in the tumor sites, the hydrogel was effectively cleaved by the released HhaI and disassembled into functional units. Natural killer cell-derived exosomes played an anti-tumor role, and the CpG oligonucleotide activated antigen-presenting cells to enhance the immunotherapy. Besides the tumor-killing effect of photodynamic therapy, the generated cellular debris acted as an immune antigen to further enhance the immunotherapeutic effect. In a mouse melanoma orthotopic model, the smart DNA hydrogel as a localized therapeutic agent, achieved a remarkable tumor suppression rate of 91.2 %. The smart DNA hydrogel exhibited enhanced efficacy of synergistic immunotherapy and photodynamic therapy, expanding the application of DNA materials in biomedicine.

Distinctive Expression of MetastamiRs in Breast Cancer Mesenchymal Stem Cells Isolated from Solid Tumor

BACKGROUND

MSCs are a part of the tumor microenvironment, which secrete cytokines and chemokines. They can affect metastasis and the growth of tumors. metastamiRs are newly recognized regulatory elements of the metastasis pathway which are involved in epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT).

OBJECTIVE

In the present study, we aimed to assess the expression profile of metastamiRs in the context of MSCs in correlation with their invasion and migration power.

METHODS

Tumor-isolated BC-MSCs and normal human mammary epithelial cells (HMECs) along with MCF-7, MDA-MB231, and MCF-10A cells were prepared and confirmed for their identity. The cells were assessed for CD44+CD24¯ percentage, Oct-4, and Survivin expression. GEO, KEGG, and TCGA databases were investigated to detect differential miR-expressions. Real- time PCR for 13 miRs was performed using LNA primers. Ultimately, Transwell-Matrigel assays as used to assess the level of migration and invasion.

RESULTS

Our results indicated that some oncomiRs like miR-10b were upregulated in BC-MSCs, while the levels of miR-373 and miR-520c were similar to the MCF-10A. Generally, miR-200 family members were on lower levels compared to the other miR-suppressor (miR-146a, 146b, and 335). miR-31 and 193b were up-regulated in MCF-10A. The most invasiveness was observed in the MDA-MB231 cell line.

CONCLUSION

We have demonstrated that the miR-expression levels of BC-MSCs are somewhat in between MCF-7 and MDA-MB231 miR-expression levels. This could be the logic behind the moderate level of invasion in BC-MSCs. Therefore, miR-therapy approaches such as miR-mimic or antagomiRs could be used for BC-MSCs in clinical cancer therapy.

Unraveling the Multifaceted Roles of Extracellular Vesicles: Insights into Biology, Pharmacology, and Pharmaceutical Applications for Drug Delivery

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are nanoparticles released from various cell types that have emerged as powerful new therapeutic option for a variety of diseases. EVs are involved in the transmission of biological signals between cells and in the regulation of a variety of biological processes, highlighting them as potential novel targets/platforms for therapeutics intervention and/or delivery. Therefore, it is necessary to investigate new aspects of EVs' biogenesis, biodistribution, metabolism, and excretion as well as safety/compatibility of both unmodified and engineered EVs upon administration in different pharmaceutical dosage forms and delivery systems. In this review, we summarize the current knowledge of essential physiological and pathological roles of EVs in different organs and organ systems. We provide an overview regarding application of EVs as therapeutic targets, therapeutics, and drug delivery platforms. We also explore various approaches implemented over the years to improve the dosage of specific EV products for different administration routes.