Evidence indicates that human cancers are maintained by a population of cells with stem-like properties called cancer stem cells (CSCs). However, the influence of the surrounding stromal cells on the behavior of the CSCs remains poorly understood. Research has recently shown that the micro-environment of human gliomas, the most aggressive human brain tumors, contains both glioma stem cells (GSCs) and cells that resemble human bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (BM-MSCs), called Glioma Associated-MSCs (GA-MSCs). It has also been shown that GA-MSCs generate a cytokine-mediated increase in the growth and self-renewal (clonogenicity) of GSCs. However, other paracrine interactions between GA-MSCs and GSCs have not been fully explored. Recent studies have suggested that nano-sized vesicles, termed exosomes, may contribute to intercellular communication within the tumor niche. Therefore, a researcher from The University of Texas Health Science Center in Houston hypothesized that GA-MSC-derived exosomes increase the growth and evolution of gliomas. In their paper, they show for the first time that exosomes can be isolated from patient-derived GA-MSCs and that these exosomes contain oncogenic microRNAs. Importantly, in vitro delivery of exosomes isolated from GA-MSCs significantly increased both the proliferation and clonogenicity of GSCs. Furthermore, GSC xenografts, treated with GA-MSC-derived exosomes, in the brains of nude mice resulted in a greater tumor burden and significantly decreased animal survival. Lastly, delivery of microRNA identified as both highly expressed and highly enriched in GA-MSC-derived exosomes, as identified by LC Sciences’ miRNA microarray service, and altered gene expression in recipient GSCs resulting in the glioma-enhancing effects described, as indicated by LC Sciences digital gene expression sequencing service. It’s concluded that GA-MSC-derived exosomes represent an alternative intercellular communication mechanism for the transfer of specific microRNAs, which enhance the aggressive nature of Gliomas.
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Reference
Javier Figueroa Investigating the Role of Exosomal Communication in the Glioma Microenvironment (2014) UT GSBS Dissertations and Theses [article]