Effect of exosomal miRNA on cancer biology and clinical applications

• Published in: Molecular cancer Vol. 17; no. 1; p. 147
• Main Authors: Sun, Zhenqiang, Shi, Ke, Yang, Shuaixi, Liu, Jinbo, Zhou, Quanbo, Wang, Guixian, Song, Junmin, Li, Zhen, Zhang, Zhiyong, Yuan, Weitang
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England BioMed Central Ltd 11-10-2018; BioMed Central; BMC
• Subjects: Angiogenesis; Biological markers; Biology; Biomarkers; Biosynthesis; Body fluids; Breast cancer; Cancer; Cancer metastasis; Cancer therapies; Cancer-Associated Fibroblasts - metabolism; Cell proliferation; Communication; Development and progression; Diagnosis; Drug resistance; Exosomal miRNAs; Exosomes; Exosomes - metabolism; Extracellular Matrix; Gene expression; Genetic aspects; Humans; Identification; Leukemia; Medical diagnosis; Medical research; Melanoma; Metastases; Metastasis; MicroRNA; MicroRNAs; MicroRNAs - genetics; MicroRNAs - metabolism; miRNA; Neoplasms - genetics; Neoplasms - immunology; Neoplasms - metabolism; Neoplasms - pathology; Ovarian cancer; Prognosis; Proteins; Review; RNA polymerase; RNA Transport; Signal Transduction; Therapeutic applications; Vascularization; Biomarkers; Angiogenesis; Exosomal miRNAs; Metastasis; Cancer
• ISSN: 1476-4598; 1476-4598
• DOI: 10.1186/s12943-018-0897-7

Exosomes, extracellular vesicles with diameters ranging from 30 to 150 nm, are widely present in various body fluids. Recently, microRNAs (miRNAs) have been identified in exosomes, the biogenesis, release, and uptake of which may involve the endosomal sorting complex required for transport (ESCRT complex) and relevant proteins. After release, exosomes are taken up by neighboring or distant cells, and the miRNAs contained within modulate such processes as interfering with tumor immunity and the microenvironment, possibly facilitating tumor growth, invasion, metastasis, angiogenesis and drug resistance. Therefore, exosomal miRNAs have a significant function in regulating cancer progression. Here, we briefly review recent findings regarding tumor-derived exosomes, including RNA sorting and delivering mechanism. We then describe the intercommunication occurring between different cells via exosomal miRNAs in tumor microenvironmnt, with impacts on tumor proliferation, vascularization, metastasis and other biological characteristics. Finally, we highlight the potential role of these molecules as biomarkers in cancer diagnosis and prognosis and tumor resistance to therapeutics.