The Role and Clinical Interest of Extracellular Vesicles in Pregnancy and Ovarian Cancer

Abstract

Ovarian cancer and pregnancy are two states in which the host immune system is exposed to novel antigens. Indeed, both the tumor and placenta must invade tissues, remodel vasculature to establish a robust blood supply, and evade detection by the immune system. Interestingly, tumor and placenta tissue use similar mechanisms to induce these necessary changes. One mediator is emerging as a key player in invasion, vascular remodeling, and immune evasion: extracellular vesicles (EVs). Many studies have identified EVs as a key mediator of cell-to-cell communication. Specifically, the cargo carried by EVs, which includes proteins, nucleic acids, and lipids, can interact with cells to induce changes in the target cell ranging from gene expression to migration and metabolism. EVs can promote cell division and tissue invasion, immunosuppression, and angiogenesis which are essential for both cancer and pregnancy. In this review, we examine the role of EVs in ovarian cancer metastasis, chemoresistance, and immune modulation. We then focus on the role of EVs in pregnancy with special attention on the vascular remodeling and regulation of the maternal immune system. Lastly, we discuss the clinical utility of EVs as markers and therapeutics for ovarian cancer and pre-eclampsia.

Natural Killer Cell-Derived Extracellular Vesicles as a Promising Immunotherapeutic Strategy for Cancer: A Systematic Review

“…According to MISEV 2018, EVs should be categorized based on size and biochemical composition (e.g., CD9, CD81 and TSG101) [ 118 , 119 ]. Most of the selected articles in this study used small NK-EVs in the range 50–200 nm [ 44 , 45 , 46 , 47 , 49 , 51 , 52 , 53 , 55 , 56 , 57 , 58 , 59 , 60 , 90 ].…”

Human Bone Marrow Mesenchymal Stem Cell (hBMSCs)-Derived miR-29a-3p-Containing Exosomes Impede Laryngocarcinoma Cell Malignant Phenotypes by Inhibiting PTEN

“…In the past decades, stimulating literatures have pointed out the potential of stem cell-derived exosomes in the treatment for different human cancers [27,28]. Despite of these important significances, more molecular mechanisms involved in exosome treatment have not been well studied.…”

The role of the placenta-brain axis in psychoneuroimmune programming

“…Cells package EVs with nucleic acids, proteins, and lipids that evade degradation due to protection by the EV bilayer membrane ( Szatanek et al, 2017 ; Yates et al, 2022 ; Ouyang et al, 2014 ). The endocrine function of EVs in cancer and reproduction has been described, with placenta and tumors being some of the most prevalent physiologic sources of EVs ( Kazemi et al, 2021 ). EVs regulate and promote the cell processes necessary for rapid tissue development including cell invasion, vascular remodeling and angiogenesis, and immunomodulation ( Kazemi et al, 2021 ).…”