Exosomes released from M2 macrophages transfer miR‐221‐3p contributed to EOC progression through targeting CDKN1B

Abstract

In contrast to other solid tumors within the abdominal cavity, epithelial ovarian cancers (EOCs) tend to undergo peritoneal metastasis. Thus, the peritoneal immune microenvironment is crucial for EOC progression. Previous reports indicate that the main immune cells within the peritoneum are M2 macrophages, specifically tumor‐associated macrophages (TAMs). The communication between TAMs and tumor cells plays an important role in EOC development, and exosomes, acting as micro–message carriers, occupy an essential position in this process. Microarray analyses of exosomes revealed that miR‐221‐3p was enriched in M2 exosomes. Furthermore, miR‐221‐3p suppressed cyclin‐dependent kinase inhibitor 1B (CDKN1B) directly. Thus, miR‐221‐3p contributed to the proliferation and G1/S transition of EOC cells. Additionally, low levels of CDKN1B were associated with EOC progression and poor prognosis. These observations suggest that TAMs‐derived exosomal miR‐221‐3p acts as a regulator of EOC progression by targeting CDKN1B. The results of this study confirm that certain exosomal microRNAs may provide novel diagnostic biomarkers and therapeutic targets for EOC.

Comprehensive Analysis Identifies Potential Ferroptosis-Associated mRNA Therapeutic Targets in Ovarian Cancer

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Role of exosomes in the immune microenvironment of ovarian cancer (Review)

“…In order for macrophages to differentiate into TAMs, macrophage-derived exosomes are important components involved in the antitumor immune response (84,93,96). The TNF-related weak inducer of apoptosis (TNSFS12 or TWEAK)-stimulated macrophage-derived exosomes can be internalized by the tumor cells, which can inhibit ovarian cancer metastasis.…”

BMSC-Derived Exosomal miR-29a Promotes Angiogenesis and Osteogenesis

“…Exosomes are EVs, with sizes arranged from 30 to 150 nm, released from multiple cell types. The functions of containing and transporting of bioactive protein, mRNAs, and miRNAs to other cells make exosomes a research hotspot of intracellular communications ( Li and Tang, 2020 ). Recent studies report that exosomes from MSCs ( Gong et al, 2017 ), smooth muscle cells ( Zheng et al, 2017 ), tumor cells ( Zhang et al, 2016 ), leukemia cells, and macrophages ( Li M. et al, 2019 ) mediate angiogenesis.…”