The role of extracellular vesicles in phenotypic cancer transformation

Abstract

BackgroundCancer has traditionally been considered as a disease resulting from gene mutations. New findings in biology are challenging gene-centered explanations of cancer progression and redirecting them to the non-genetic origins of tumorigenicity. It has become clear that intercellular communication plays a crucial role in cancer progression. Among the most intriguing ways of intercellular communication is that via extracellular vesicles (EVs). EVs are membrane structures released from various types of cells. After separation from the mother membrane, EVs become mobile and may travel from the extracellular space to blood and other body fluids.ConclusionsRecently it has been shown that tumour cells are particularly prone to vesiculation and that tumour-derived EVs can carry proteins, lipids and nucleic acids causative of cancer progression. The uptake of tumour-derived EVs by noncancerous cells can change their normal phenotype to cancerous. The suppression of vesiculation could slow down tumour growth and the spread of metastases. The purpose of this review is to highlight examples of EV-mediated cancer phenotypic transformation in the light of possible therapeutic applications.

Bystander Effect Induced by Electroporation is Possibly Mediated by Microvesicles and Dependent on Pulse Amplitude, Repetition Frequency and Cell Type

“…Furthermore, the importance of extracellular microvesicles in cancer treatment is gaining recognition as there is emerging evidence of their role in intercellular communication through which they influence the functioning of the nontargeted cells (El-Andaloussi et al 2013). The mechanism of the formation of extracellular vesicles is not yet clearly understood, but it is thought that several different mechanisms, such as endosomal sorting complex required for transport (ESCRT) machinery, are involved, which contribute to the specific composition of the vesicles (Ogorevc et al 2013;El-Andaloussi et al 2013;Bobrie et al 2011).…”

Exosomes Derived from Breast Cancer Cells, Small Trojan Horses?

“…Numerous factors have been implicated in the regulation of breast cancer stem cells, but information on the precise molecular and cellular mechanisms guiding their pathobiology remains inadequate [2,3]. Notably, it is becoming widely acknowledged in the scientific community that many tumor cells are susceptible to vesiculation [4], being able to release extracellular vesicles that can travel via body fluids [5][6][7][8]. There are various types of vesicles, but this review focuses on exosomes because of their impact on cancer progression and their versatility; various authors have advocated their use as biomarkers for cancer disease, and they may also be useful for delivering antitumor drugs [9,10].…”

“…The interaction of exosomes with target cells may occur via several mechanisms, involving receptors, endocytosis, fusion with plasma membrane, or the release of their cargo [4,18]. They contain a broad range of bioactive material and are able to transport molecules such as proteins, lipids, DNA, mRNA, miRNA, mtDNA, ssDNA, and retrotransposons [19][20][21][22].…”

Transfer of malignant trait to immortalized human cells following exposure to human cancer serum

“…Under both physiological and pathological conditions, different cell types release microvesicles into their microenvironment [8,9]. Microvesicles are also found in body fluids such as plasma, cerebrospinal fluid and malignant ascites [10][11][12].…”