Mesenchymal Stem Cells Inhibits Migration and Vasculogenic Mimicry in Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma Via Exosomal MiR-125a

Engineered mesenchymal stem/stromal cells against cancer

Mesenchymal stem/stromal cells (MSCs) have garnered attention for their potential in cancer therapy due to their ability to home to tumor sites. Engineered MSCs have been developed to deliver therapeutic proteins, microRNAs, prodrugs, chemotherapy drugs, and oncolytic viruses directly to the tumor microenvironment, with the goal of enhancing therapeutic efficacy while minimizing off-target effects. Despite promising results in preclinical studies and clinical trials, challenges such as variability in delivery efficiency and safety concerns persist. Ongoing research aims to optimize MSC-based cancer eradication and immunotherapy, enhancing their specificity and efficacy in cancer treatment. This review focuses on advancements in engineering MSCs for tumor-targeted therapy.

Kdm2a inhibition in skeletal muscle improves metabolic flexibility in obesity

Skeletal muscle is a critical organ in maintaining homoeostasis against metabolic stress, and histone post-translational modifications are pivotal in those processes. However, the intricate nature of histone methylation in skeletal muscle and its impact on metabolic homoeostasis have yet to be elucidated. Here, we report that mitochondria-rich slow-twitch myofibers are characterized by significantly higher levels of H3K36me2 along with repressed expression of Kdm2a, an enzyme that specifically catalyses H3K36me2 demethylation. Deletion or inhibition of Kdm2a shifts fuel use from glucose under cold challenge to lipids under obese conditions by increasing the proportion of mitochondria-rich slow-twitch myofibers. This protects mice against cold insults and high-fat-diet-induced obesity and insulin resistance. Mechanistically, Kdm2a deficiency leads to a marked increase in H3K36me2 levels, which then promotes the recruitment of Mrg15 to the Esrrg locus to process its precursor messenger RNA splicing, thereby reshaping skeletal muscle metabolic profiles to induce slow-twitch myofiber transition. Collectively, our data support the role of Kdm2a as a viable target against metabolic stress.

Recent research progress on microRNAs from mesenchymal stem cell-derived exosomes for tumor therapy: A review

ABSTRACT

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are a class of protocells that can differentiate into various cell types and have robust replication and renewal capabilities. MSCs secrete various nutritional factors to regulate the microenvironment of tumor tissues. The mechanism by which they inhibit or promote tumor growth may be closely related to MSC-derived exosomes (MSC-Exo). However, the role of MSC-Exo vesicles in tumors remains controversial. This review discusses the potential applications of microRNAs in exosomes derived from MSCs in treating tumors.

Revolutionizing the treatment for nasopharyngeal cancer: the impact, challenges and strategies of stem cell and genetically engineered cell therapies

Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is a distinct malignancy of the nasopharynx and is consistently associated with the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection. Its unique anatomical location and complex aetiology often result in advanced-stage disease at first diagnosis. While radiotherapy (RT) and chemotherapy have been the mainstays of treatment, they often fail to prevent tumour recurrence and metastasis, leading to high rates of treatment failure and mortality. Recent advancement in cell-based therapies, such as chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-T cell therapy, have shown great promise in hematological malignancies and are now being investigated for NPC. However, challenges such as targeting specific tumour antigens, limited T cell persistence and proliferation, and managing treatment-related toxicities must be addressed. Extensive research is needed to enhance the effectiveness and safety of these therapies, paving the way for their integration into standard clinical practice for better management of NPC and a better quality of life for human health.

Unfolding the Complexity of Exosome-Cellular Interactions on Tumour Immunity and Their Clinical Prospects in Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma

Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is an epithelial malignancy situated in the posterolateral nasopharynx. NPC poses grave concerns in Southeast Asia due to its late diagnosis. Together with resistance to standard treatment combining chemo- and radiotherapy, NPC presents high metastatic rates and common recurrence. Despite advancements in immune-checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) and cytotoxic-T-lymphocytes (CTLs)-based cellular therapy, the exhaustive T cell profile and other signs of immunosuppression within the NPC tumour microenvironment (TME) remain as concerns to immunotherapy response. Exosomes, extracellular vesicles of 30-150 nm in diameter, are increasingly studied and linked to tumourigenesis in oncology. These bilipid-membrane-bound vesicles are packaged with a variety of signalling molecules, mediating cell-cell communications. Within the TME, exosomes can originate from tumour, immune, or stromal cells. Although there are studies on tumour-derived exosomes (TEX) in NPC and their effects on tumour processes like angiogenesis, metastasis, therapeutic resistance, there is a lack of research on their involvement in immune evasion. In this review, we aim to enhance the comprehension of how NPC TEX contribute to cellular immunosuppression. Furthermore, considering the detectability of TEX in bodily fluids, we will also discuss the potential development of TEX-related biomarkers for liquid biopsy in NPC as this could facilitate early diagnosis and prognostication of the disease.

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.

Research progress of exosomes as drug carriers in cancer and inflammation

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) could be produced by most cells and play an important role in disease development. As a subtype of EVs, exosomes exhibit suitable size, rich surface markers and diverse contents, making them more appealing as potential drug carriers. Compared with traditional synthetic nanoparticles, exosomes possess superior biocompatibility and much lower immunogenicity. This work reviewed the most up-to-date research progress of exosomes as carriers for nucleic acids, proteins and small molecule drugs for cancer and inflammation management. The drug loading strategies and potential cellular uptake behaviour of exosomes are highlighted, trying to provide reference for future exosome design and application.