Imaging exosome transfer from breast cancer cells to stroma at metastatic sites in orthotopic nude-mouse models

Exosomes in colorectal carcinoma formation: ALIX under the magnifying glass

“…We found morphological and size similarity between the expression pattern of ALIX (in our adenoma and colorectal carcinoma samples) with TSG101 (involved in MVB and exosome formation, an interaction partner of ALIX) and CD63 molecules in in vitro and in vivo models of others. [55][56][57][58] Based on the relatively large (approximately 0.6-2 μm) diameter (knowing the inaccuracy deriving from fluorescent measurement) 59 and molecular composition of these particles they may designate MVBs including intracytoplasmic clusters of exosomes. These structures were also detectable on cancer-stroma border and adjacent carcinoma cells, which suggest that they have a role in cell-cell communication via elevated exosomal function.…”

The Multiple Roles of Exosomes in Metastasis

“…This can be achieved by two different technologies (23). The first one is based on incorporation of small fluorophores into the membrane of exosomes resulting in strong fluorescent signals in the exosome membrane.…”

“…In addition, the transfer of MMPinducer EMMPRIN by exosomes derived from lung cancer cells to fibroblasts has been shown to stimulate expression of MMPs, leading to tumor-cell ECM-remodeling, invasion and metastasis (109). Making use of imaging techniques as described in a previous chapter of this review, it was observed in orthotopic breast cancer models that exosomes from breast cancer cells can move to other cancer and stromal cells at metastatic sites (23,24). Vice versa, exosomes from tumor-associated fibroblasts can profoundly enhance the metastatic properties of recipient tumor cells (110,111).…”

“…The second one is based on expression of fusion proteins between exosome marker transmembrane proteins such as CD63 and fluorescent proteins (GFP and/or red fluorescent protein RFP) which are expressed in transfected cells and incorporated into exosomes allowing their tracing. The latter technology has allowed for visualization of transfer of tumorderived exosomes to cells of the tumor-microenvironment, distant sites and blood in tumor-bearing mice (23,24).…”

Therapeutic and diagnostic applications of extracellular vesicles

“…Indeed, the EV composition will depend on the type and even status of the producer cell [218,219]. As EVs are easily secreted by the large majority of cell types in the human body, they can be retrieved from all bodily fluids [220]. EVs have been isolated from e.g.…”