From Tumor Metastasis towards Cerebral Ischemia—Extracellular Vesicles as a General Concept of Intercellular Communication Processes

Abstract

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) have been tremendous carriers in both experimental and translational science. These vesicles—formerly regarded as artifacts of in vitro research—have a heterogeneous population of vesicles derived from virtually all eukaryotic cells. EVs consist of a bilayer lipid structure with a diameter of about 30 to 1000 nm and have a characteristic protein and non-coding RNA content that make up different forms of EVs such as exosomes, microvesicles, and others. Despite recent progress in the EV field, which is known to serve as potential biomarkers and therapeutic tools under various pathological conditions, fundamental questions are yet to be answered. This short review focuses on recently reported data regarding EVs under pathological conditions with a particular emphasis on the role of EVs under such different conditions like tumor formation and cerebral ischemia. The review strives to point out general concepts of EV intercellular communication processes that might be vital to both diagnostic and therapeutic strategies in the long run.

Fibroblast‑derived exosomal microRNA‑369 potentiates migration and invasion of lung squamous cell carcinoma cells via NF1‑mediated MAPK signaling pathway

“…Exosomes antagonized the protective effect of mesothelial cells and facilitated the metastasis of tumor cells, particularly in fluid ascites, implying that exosomes may induce the transformation of mesothelial cells into cAFs to promote metastasis (36). Similar to the results of the present study, melanoma cells were demonstrated to control the creation of the dermal tumor niche by inducing EVs overexpressing miR-211, which directly interacted with the insulin-like growth factor 2 receptor, contributing to the potentiation of the MAPK signaling pathway that encourages melanoma cell growth (37). In addition, gastric cancer cell-induced exosomes promoted the proliferation and migration of pericytes and enhanced the cAFs marker expression in pericytes, during which the MEK/ERK pathway was activated by tumor-derived exosomes (38).…”

A Transcriptome Community-and-Module Approach of the Human Mesoconnectome

“…We outlined community D2_C4 involved in angiogenesis. Adult brain angiogenesis is typically considered halted or null, except for pathological processes such as ischemia and tumors [93,94]. Yet, together with their aforementioned neighboring communities, they can be summarized as neurotrophic phenomena.…”