Fibronectin expression is upregulated by PI-3K/Akt activation in tamoxifen-resistant breast cancer cells

Absent in melanoma 2: a potent suppressor of retinal pigment epithelial-mesenchymal transition and experimental proliferative vitreoretinopathy

Epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a critical and complex process involved in normal embryonic development, tissue regeneration, and tumor progression. It also contributes to retinal diseases, such as age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and proliferative vitreoretinopathy (PVR). Although absent in melanoma 2 (AIM2) has been linked to inflammatory disorders, autoimmune diseases, and cancers, its role in the EMT of the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE-EMT) and retinal diseases remains unclear. The present study demonstrated that AIM2 functions as a potent suppressor of RPE cell proliferation and EMT to maintain retinal homeostasis. Transcriptome analysis using RNA-sequencing (RNA-Seq) revealed that AIM2 was significantly downregulated in primary human RPE (phRPE) cells undergoing EMT and proliferation. Consequently, Aim2-deficient mice showed morphological changes and increased FN expression in RPE cells under physiological conditions, whereas AIM2 overexpression in phRPE cells inhibited EMT. In a retinal detachment-induced PVR mouse model, AIM2 deficiency promotes RPE-EMT, resulting in severe experimental PVR. Clinical samples further confirmed the downregulation of AIM2 in the PVR membranes from patients. Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genome analysis revealed that the PI3K-AKT signaling pathway was significantly related to RPE-EMT and that AIM2 inhibited AKT activation in RPE cells by reducing its phosphorylation. Moreover, treatment with eye drops containing an AKT inhibitor alleviated RPE-EMT and the severity of experimental PVR. These findings provide new insights into the complex mechanisms underlying RPE-EMT and PVR pathogenesis, with implications for rational strategies for potential therapeutic applications in PVR by targeting RPE-EMT.

Runx2 silencing sensitized human renal cell carcinoma cells to ABT-737 apoptosis

The prognostic value of Runt-related transcription factor 2 (Runx2) and its involvement in cell growth and motility have been reported in patients diagnosed with renal cell carcinoma (RCC). Since Runx2 may have the potential to be a target for the purpose of antitumor intervention, there is an urgent need to gain insight into its oncogenic properties. Using human 786-O, Caki-1 and ACHN RCC cells as models, the silencing of cellular Runx2 expression brought about a reduction in cyclin D1 and β-catenin expression, cell growth and migration without any significant cell death. Runx2-silenced cells turned into apoptosis vulnerable in the presence of ABT-737, a BH3 mimetic Bcl-2 inhibitor. Data from biochemical and molecular studies have revealed a positive correlation between Runx2 expression and Akt phosphorylation, Mcl-1 expression, and fibronectin expression. Results of genetic silencing studies have indicated the potential involvement of Mcl-1 and fibronectin in the decision of RCC cell ABT-737 resistance and sensitivity. The regulatory roles of the PI3K/Akt axis in the expression of Mcl-1 and fibronectin were suggested by means of the results taken from experiments involving pharmacological study of the PI3K/Akt. Since overexpression and prognostic roles of Runx2, activated Akt, Mcl-1, fibronectin, cyclin D1, and β-catenin have been revealed in RCC, it is important to explore the precise mechanisms underlying Runx2 oncogenic effects. Although the linking details between Runx2 and PI3K/Akt have yet to be identified, our findings suggest that Mcl-1 and fibronectin are downstream effectors of Runx2 via a regulatory axis of the PI3K/Akt and their promotion of cell growth, migration, and ABT-737 resistance in RCC cells.

STAT3: Key targets of growth-promoting receptor positive breast cancer

Breast cancer has become the malignant tumor with the first incidence and the second mortality among female cancers. Most female breast cancers belong to luminal-type breast cancer and HER2-positive breast cancer. These breast cancer cells all have different driving genes, which constantly promote the proliferation and metastasis of breast cancer cells. Signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) is an important breast cancer-related gene, which can promote the progress of breast cancer. It has been proved in clinical and basic research that over-expressed and constitutively activated STAT3 is involved in the progress, proliferation, metastasis and chemotherapy resistance of breast cancer. STAT3 is an important key target in luminal-type breast cancer and HER2-positive cancer, which has an important impact on the curative effect of related treatments. In breast cancer, the activation of STAT3 will change the spatial position of STAT3 protein and cause different phenotypic changes of breast cancer cells. In the current basic research and clinical research, small molecule inhibitors activated by targeting STAT3 can effectively treat breast cancer, and enhance the efficacy level of related treatment methods for luminal-type and HER2-positive breast cancers.

Nanomedicine Strategies for Targeting Tumor Stroma

The tumor stroma, or the microenvironment surrounding solid tumors, can significantly impact the effectiveness of cancer therapies. The tumor microenvironment is characterized by high interstitial pressure, a consequence of leaky vasculature, and dense stroma created by excessive deposition of various macromolecules such as collagen, fibronectin, and hyaluronic acid (HA). In addition, non-cancerous cells such as cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) and the extracellular matrix (ECM) itself can promote tumor growth. In recent years, there has been increased interest in combining standard cancer treatments with stromal-targeting strategies or stromal modulators to improve therapeutic outcomes. Furthermore, the use of nanomedicine, which can improve the delivery and retention of drugs in the tumor, has been proposed to target the stroma. This review focuses on how different stromal components contribute to tumor progression and impede chemotherapeutic delivery. Additionally, this review highlights recent advancements in nanomedicine-based stromal modulation and discusses potential future directions for developing more effective stroma-targeted cancer therapies.

Shielding and nurturing: Fibronectin as a modulator of cancer drug resistance

Resistance to chemotherapy and targeted therapies constitute a common hallmark of most cancers and represent a dominant factor fostering tumor relapse and metastasis. Fibronectin, an abundant extracellular matrix glycoprotein, has long been proposed to play an important role in the pathobiology of cancer. Recent research has unraveled the role of Fibronectin in the onset of chemoresistance against a variety of antineoplastic drugs including DNA-damaging agents, hormone receptor antagonists, tyrosine kinase inhibitors, microtubule destabilizing agents, etc. The current review summarizes the role played by Fibronectin in mediating drug resistance against diverse anticancer drugs. We have also discussed how the aberrant expression of Fibronectin drives the oncogenic signaling pathways ultimately leading to drug resistance through the inhibition of apoptosis, promotion of cancer cell growth and proliferation.

Mechanistic insights into the development of severe fetal growth restriction

Fetal growth restriction (FGR), which most commonly results from suboptimal placental function, substantially increases risks for adverse perinatal and long-term outcomes. The only "treatment" that exists is delivery, which averts stillbirth but does not improve outcomes in survivors. Furthermore, the potential long-term consequences of FGR to the fetus, including cardiometabolic disorders, predispose these individuals to developing FGR in their future pregnancies. This creates a multi-generational cascade of adverse effects stemming from a single dysfunctional placenta, and understanding the mechanisms underlying placental-mediated FGR is critically important if we are to improve outcomes and overall health. The mechanisms behind FGR remain unknown. However, placental insufficiency derived from maldevelopment of the placental vascular systems is the most common etiology. To highlight important mechanistic interactions within the placenta, we focus on placental vascular development in the setting of FGR. We delve into fetoplacental angiogenesis, a robust and ongoing process in normal pregnancies that is impaired in severe FGR. We review cellular models of FGR, with special attention to fetoplacental angiogenesis, and we highlight novel integrin-extracellular matrix interactions that regulate placental angiogenesis in severe FGR. In total, this review focuses on key developmental processes, with specific focus on the human placenta, an underexplored area of research.

Identification of potential target genes of honokiol in overcoming breast cancer resistance to tamoxifen

Background

Honokiol (HON) inhibits epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) signaling and increases the activity of erlotinib, an EGFR inhibitor, in human head and neck cancers. In this study, using a bioinformatics approach and in vitro experiments, we assessed the target genes of HON against breast cancer resistance to tamoxifen (TAM).

Materials and methods

Microarray data were obtained from GSE67916 and GSE85871 datasets to identify differentially expressed genes (DEGs). DEGs common between HON-treated and TAM-resistant cells were analyzed by Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichment analyses and protein-protein interaction (PPI) networks were constructed. Selected genes were analyzed for genetic alterations, expression, prognostic value, and receiver operating characteristics (ROC). TAM-resistant MCF-7 (MCF-7 TAM-R) cells were generated and characterized for their resistance toward TAM. A combination of HON and TAM was used for cytotoxicity and gene expression analyses. Molecular docking was performed using the Molecular Operating Environment software.

Results

PPI network analysis revealed that FN1, FGFR2, and RET were the top three genes with the highest scores. A genetic alteration study of potential target genes revealed MMP16 and ERBB4 as the genes with the highest alterations among the breast cancer samples. Pathway enrichment analysis of FGFR2, RET, ERBB4, SOX2, FN1, and MMP16 showed that the genetic alterations herein were likely to impact the RTK-Ras pathway. The expression levels of RET, MMP16, and SOX2 were strongly correlated with prognostic power, with areas under the ROC curves (AUC) ​​of 1, 0.8, and 0.8, respectively. The HON and TAM combination increased TAM cytotoxicity in MCF-7 TAM-R cells by regulating the expression of potential target genes ret, ERBB4, SOX2, and FN1, as well as the TAM resistance regulatory genes including HES1, VIM, PCNA, TP53, and CASP7. Molecular docking results indicated that HON tended to bind RET, ErbB4, and the receptor protein Notch1 ankyrin domain more robustly than its native ligand.

Conclusion

HON could overcome breast cancer resistance to TAM, potentially by targeting FGFR2, RET, ERBB4, MMP16, FN1, and SOX2. However, further studies are required to validate these results.

FoxO3a Inhibits Tamoxifen-Resistant Breast Cancer Progression by Inducing Integrin α5 Expression

Resistance to endocrine therapy is still a major clinical challenge in the management of estrogen receptor α-positive (ERα+) breast cancer (BC). Here, the role of the Forkhead box class O (FoxO)3a transcription factor in tumor progression has been evaluated in tamoxifen-resistant BC cells (TamR), expressing lower levels of FoxO3a compared to sensitive ones. FoxO3a re-expression reduces TamR motility (wound-healing and transmigration assays) and invasiveness (matrigel transwell invasion assays) through the mRNA (qRT-PCR) and protein (Western blot) induction of the integrin α5 subunit of the α5β1 fibronectin receptor, a well-known membrane heterodimer controlling cell adhesion and signaling. The induction occurs through FoxO3a binding to a specific Forkhead responsive core sequence located on the integrin α5 promoter (cloning, luciferase, and ChIP assays). Moreover, FoxO3a failed to inhibit migration and invasion in integrin α5 silenced (siRNA) cells, demonstrating integrin α5 involvement in both processes. Finally, using large-scale gene expression data sets, a strong positive correlation between FoxO3a and integrin α5 in ERα+, but not in ER-negative (ERα-), BC patients emerged. Altogether, our data show how the oncosuppressor FoxO3a, by increasing the expression of its novel transcriptional target integrin α5, reverts the phenotype of endocrine-resistant BC toward a lower aggressiveness.

Hexokinases 2 promoted cell motility and distant metastasis by elevating fibronectin through Akt1/p-Akt1 in cervical cancer cells

Background

Hexokinases 2 (HK2) is a member of the hexokinases, linking with malignant tumor growth and distant metastasis. However, evidence regarding the potential role of HK2 in regulating cell motility and tumor metastasis during the cervical cancer malignant progression remains limited.

Methods

In vitro migration and invasion assay, in vivo metastasis experiments were performed to detect the effective of HK2 on regulating cell motility and tumor metastasis in cervical cancer cells. RNA-Seq was performed to explore the potential molecules that participate in HK2-mediated cell motility and tumor metastasis in cervical cancer cells. The correlation between HK2 and Akt1, p-Akt1, FN1 expression in cervical cancer cells and human squamous cervical carcinoma (SCC) samples was verified in this study.

Results

In this study, cervical cancer cells with exogenous HK2 expression exhibited enhanced cell motility and distant metastasis. Transcriptome sequencing analysis revealed that fibronectin (FN1) was significantly increased in HK2-overexpressing HeLa cells, and the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway was identified by KEGG pathway enrichment analysis. Further studies demonstrated that this promotion of cell motility by HK2 was probably a result of it inducing FN1, MMP2 and MMP9 expression by activating Akt1 in cervical cancer cells. Additionally, HK2 expression was altered with the changing of Akt1/p-Akt1 expression, implying that HK2 expression is also modulated by Akt1/p-Akt1. Moreover, the positive correlation between HK2 and Akt1, p-Akt1, FN1 expression in human squamous cervical carcinoma (SCC) samples was verified by using Pearson correlation analysis.

Conclusions

This study demonstrated that HK2 could activate Akt1 in cervical cancer cells, subsequently enhancing cell motility and tumor metastasis by inducing FN1, MMP2 and MMP9 expression. There likely exists an interactive regulatory mechanism between HK2 and Akt1 during the malignant process of cervical cancer.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12935-021-02312-0.

Emerging Role of Syndecans in Extracellular Matrix Remodeling in Cancer

The extracellular matrix (ECM) offers a structural basis for regulating cell functions while also acting as a collection point for bioactive molecules and connective tissue cells. To perform pathological functions under a pathological condition, the involved cells need to regulate the ECM to support their altered functions. This is particularly common in the development of cancer. The ECM has been recognized as a key driver of cancer development and progression, and ECM remodeling occurs at all stages of cancer progression. Thus, cancer cells need to change the ECM to support relevant cell surface adhesion receptor-mediated cell functions. In this context, it is interesting to examine how cancer cells regulate ECM remodeling, which is critical to tumor malignancy and metastatic progression. Here, we review how the cell surface adhesion receptor, syndecan, regulates ECM remodeling as cancer progresses, and explore how this can help us better understand ECM remodeling under these pathological conditions.

Tumor Microenvironment: Implications in Melanoma Resistance to Targeted Therapy and Immunotherapy

Simple Summary

The response to pharmacological treatments is deeply influenced by the tight interactions between the tumor cells and the microenvironment. In this review we describe, for melanoma, the most important mechanisms of resistance to targeted therapy and immunotherapy mediated by the components of the microenvironment. In addition, we briefly describe the most recent therapeutic advances for this pathology. The knowledge of molecular mechanisms, which are underlying of drug resistance, is fundamental for the development of new therapeutic approaches for the treatment of melanoma patients.

Abstract

Antitumor therapies have made great strides in recent decades. Chemotherapy, aggressive and unable to discriminate cancer from healthy cells, has given way to personalized treatments that, recognizing and blocking specific molecular targets, have paved the way for targeted and effective therapies. Melanoma was one of the first tumor types to benefit from this new care frontier by introducing specific inhibitors for v-Raf murine sarcoma viral oncogene homolog B (BRAF), mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase (MEK), v-kit Hardy–Zuckerman 4 feline sarcoma viral oncogene homolog (KIT), and, recently, immunotherapy. However, despite the progress made in the melanoma treatment, primary and/or acquired drug resistance remains an unresolved problem. The molecular dynamics that promote this phenomenon are very complex but several studies have shown that the tumor microenvironment (TME) plays, certainly, a key role. In this review, we will describe the new melanoma treatment approaches and we will analyze the mechanisms by which TME promotes resistance to targeted therapy and immunotherapy.

Upregulation of fibronectin following loss of p53 function is a poor prognostic factor in ovarian carcinoma with a unique immunophenotype

Background

We previously demonstrated that ovarian high grade serous carcinomas (OHGSeCa) and ovarian clear cell carcinomas (OCCCa) with an HNF-1β+/p53+/ARID1A+ immunophenotype were associated with the worst unfavorable prognosis. To clarify the molecular mechanisms underlying this finding, we focused on alterations in the p53 signaling pathway in these tumors.

Methods

Changes in cell phenotype and function following knockdown of wild-type p53 (p53-KD) were assessed using OCCCa cells expressing endogenous HNF-1β and ARID1A. The prognostic significance of molecules that were deregulated following p53-KD was also examined using 129 OCCCa/OHGSeCa cases.

Results

p53-KD cells had increased expression of Snail, phospho-Akt (pAkt), and pGSK3β, and decreased E-cadherin expression, leading to epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT)/cancer stem cell (CSC) features. The cells also exhibited acceleration of cell motility and inhibition of cell proliferation and apoptosis. Next generation sequencing revealed that fibronectin (FN) expression was significantly increased in the p53 KD-cells, in line with our observation that wild-type p53 (but not mutant p53) repressed FN1 promoter activity. In addition, treatment of OCCCa cells with FN significantly increased cell migration capacity and decreased cell proliferation rate, independent of induction of EMT features. In clinical samples, FN/p53 scores were significantly higher in OCCCa/OHGSeCa with the HNF-1β+/p53+/ARID1A+ immunophenotype when compared to others. Moreover, high FN/high p53 expression was associated with the worst overall survival and progression-free survival in OCCCa/OHGSeCa patients.

Conclusion

These findings suggest that upregulation of FN following loss of p53 function may impact the biological behavior of OCCCa/OHGSeCa, particularly in tumors with an HNF-1β+/p53+/ARID1A+ immunophenotype, through alterations in cell mobility and cell proliferation. The accompanying induction of EMT/CSC properties and inhibition of apoptosis due to p53 abnormalities also contribute to the establishment and maintenance of tumor phenotypic characteristics.

Breast Fibroblasts and ECM Components Modulate Breast Cancer Cell Migration Through the Secretion of MMPs in a 3D Microfluidic Co-Culture Model

The extracellular matrix (ECM) composition greatly influences cancer progression, leading to differential invasion, migration, and metastatic potential. In breast cancer, ECM components, such as fibroblasts and ECM proteins, have the potential to alter cancer cell migration. However, the lack of in vitro migration models that can vary ECM composition limits our knowledge of how specific ECM components contribute to cancer progression. Here, a microfluidic model was used to study the effect of 3D heterogeneous ECMs (i.e., fibroblasts and different ECM protein compositions) on the migration distance of a highly invasive human breast cancer cell line, MDA-MB-231. Specifically, we show that in the presence of normal breast fibroblasts, a fibronectin-rich matrix induces more cancer cell migration. Analysis of the ECM revealed the presence of ECM tunnels. Likewise, cancer-stromal crosstalk induced an increase in the secretion of metalloproteinases (MMPs) in co-cultures. When MMPs were inhibited, migration distance decreased in all conditions except for the fibronectin-rich matrix in the co-culture with human mammary fibroblasts (HMFs). This model mimics the in vivo invasion microenvironment, allowing the examination of cancer cell migration in a relevant context. In general, this data demonstrates the capability of the model to pinpoint the contribution of different components of the tumor microenvironment (TME).

Stanniocalcin 1 in tumor microenvironment promotes metastasis of ovarian cancer

Background: Tumor metastasis is the major challenge for ovarian cancer treatment. Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs), a major component existing in tumor microenvironment, can secrete several cytokines to interact with cancer epithelial cells, and promote cancer metastasis. Stanniocalcin 1 (STC1), a secretory glycoprotein hormone, has been proven to be an important factor in ovarian tumorigenesis. Methods: In this study, we focused on the functional role of STC1 in ovarian cancer microenvironment, investigated STC1's effects on the proliferation and metastasis of ovarian cancer cells, and explored the molecular mechanism underlying STC1-mediated cancer metastasis. Results: By analyzing the GEO dataset and examined STC1 expression in CAFs isolated from ovarian cancer patients, we found that expression of STC1 was higher in ovarian cancer stroma and CAFs than in the normal ovarian stroma and normal fibroblasts (NFs). Addition of recombinant human STC1 (rhSTC1) promoted cell proliferation and metastasis in ovarian cancer, while adoption of STC1 neutralizing antibody (STC1 Ab) abolished the effects. Furthermore, our results revealed that STC1 promoted the phosphorylation of Akt (Ser473), and upregulated several epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) markers including fibronectin，vimentin and slug. In addition, we demonstrated that STC1 in tumor microenvironment could mediate the conversion of NFs to CAFs. Conclusion: Taken together, the study results suggested the crucial role of STC1 in tumor environment on the metastasis of ovarian cancer.

Long non‑coding RNA UCA1 confers tamoxifen resistance in breast cancer endocrinotherapy through regulation of the EZH2/p21 axis and the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway

Tamoxifen is the gold standard for breast cancer endocrinotherapy. However, drug resistance remains a major limiting factor of tamoxifen treatment. Long non‑coding (lnc) RNA serves an important role in drug resistance; however, the molecular mechanisms of tamoxifen resistance in breast cancer endocrinotherapy are largely unclear. lncRNA urothelial cancer associated 1 (lncRNA UCA1, UCA1) has been proven to be dysregulated in human breast cancer and promotes cancer progression. In the present study, it was demonstrated that UCA1 was significantly upregulated in breast cancer tissues compared with healthy tissues. Furthermore, the expression level of UCA1 was significantly greater in tamoxifen‑resistant breast cancer cells (LCC2 and LCC9) when compared with those in the tamoxifen‑sensitive breast cancer cells (MCF‑7 and T47D). UCA1 silencing in LLC2 and LLC9 cells increased tamoxifen drug sensitivity by promoting cell apoptosis and arresting the cell cycle at the G2/M phase. Notably, the induced overexpression of UCA1 in MCF‑7 and T47D cells decreased the drug sensitivity of tamoxifen. The molecular mechanism involved in UCA1‑induced tamoxifen‑resistance was also investigated. It was identified that UCA1 was physically associated with the enhancer of zeste homolog 2 (EZH2), which suppressed the expression of p21 through histone methylation (H3K27me3) on the p21 promoter. In addition, it was demonstrated that UCA1 expression was paralleled to the phosphorylation of CAMP responsive element binding protein (CREB) and AKT. When LCC2 cells were treated with the phosphoinositide 3‑kinase (PI3K)/protein kinase B (AKT) signaling pathway inhibitor LY294002, the phosphorylation levels of CREB and AKT were significantly downregulated. Taken together, it was concluded that UCA1 regulates the EZH2/p21 axis and the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway in breast cancer, and may be a potential therapeutic target for solving tamoxifen resistance.

Downregulation of NEAT1 reverses the radioactive iodine resistance of papillary thyroid carcinoma cell via miR-101-3p/FN1/PI3K-AKT signaling pathway

Considering the resistance of papillary thyroid cancer (PTC) ¹³¹I therapy, this study was designed to find a solution at molecular respect. By probing into lncRNA-NEAT1/miR-101-3p/FN1 axis and PI3K/AKT signaling pathway, this study provided a potential target for PTC therapy. ¹³¹I-resistant cell lines were established by continuous treatment with median-lethal ¹³¹I. Bioinformatic analysis was applied to filtrate possible lncRNA/miRNA/mRNA and related signaling pathway. Luciferase reporter assay was employed in the verification of the targeting relationship between lncRNA and miRNA as well as miRNA and mRNA. MTT assay and flow cytometry assay were performed to observe the impact of NEAT1/miR-101-3p/FN1 on cell viability and apoptosis in radioactivity iodine (RAI)-resistant PTC cell lines, respectively. Western blot and qRT-PCR were conducted to measure the expression of proteins and mRNAs in RAI-resistant PTC tissues and cells. Meanwhile, endogenous PTC mice model were constructed, in order to verify the relation between NEAT1 and RAI-resistance in vivo. NEAT1 was over-expressed in RAI-resistant PTC tissues and cell lines and could resist RAI by accelerating proliferation accompanied by suppressing apoptosis. It indicated that overexpressed NEAT1 restrained the damage of RAI to tumor in both macroscopic and microcosmic. Besides, NEAT1/miR-101-3p exhibited a negative correlation by directly targeting each other. The expression of FN1, an overexpressed downstream protein in RAI-resistance PTC tissues, could be tuned down by miR-101-3p, while the decrease could be restored by NEAT1. In conclusion, both in vitro and in vivo, NEAT1 suppression could inhibit ¹³¹I resistance of PTC by upregulating miR-101-3p/FN1 expression and inactivated PI3K/AKT signaling pathway both in vitro and in vivo.

Exosomes derived from microRNA-584 transfected mesenchymal stem cells: novel alternative therapeutic vehicles for cancer therapy

Exosomes are small membranous vesicles which contain abundant RNA molecules, and are transferred from releasing cells to uptaking cells. MicroRNA (miRNA) is one of the transferred molecules affecting the adopted cells, including glioma cells. We hypothesized that mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) can secrete exosomes loading miRNA and have important effects on the progress of gliomas. To determine these effects by treating exosomal miRNA in culture media of miRNA mimic transfected MSCs, we assessed the in vitro cell proliferation and invasion capabilities, and the expression level of relative proteins associated with cell apoptosis, growth and migration. For animal studies, the mice injected with U87 cells were exposed to exosomes derived from miRNA-584-5p transfected MSCs, to confirm the influence of exosomal miRNA on the progress of glioma. Based on our results, we propose a new targeted cancer therapy wherein exosomes derived from miRNA transfected MSCs could be used to modulate tumor progress as the anticancer vehicles.