The Influence of a Stressful Microenvironment on Tumor Exosomes: A Focus on the DNA Cargo.

Abstract

Exosomes secreted by tumor cells, through the transport of bioactive molecules, reprogram the surroundings, building a microenvironment to support the development of the tumor. The discovery that exosomes carry genomic DNA reflecting that of the tumor cell of origin has encouraged studies to use them as non-invasive biomarkers. The exosome-mediated transfer of oncogenes suggested a new mechanism of malignant transformation that could play a role in the formation of metastases. Several studies have examined the role of tumor exosomes on the modulation of the tumor microenvironment, but relatively few have been directed to assess how stressful stimuli can influence their production and cargo. Understanding the changes in exosome loads and the production pattern of the stressed tumor cell may uncover actionable mechanisms responsible for tumor progression.

• Authors: Rossana Domenis, Adriana Cifù, Francesco Curcio
• Journal: International journal of molecular sciences (Int J Mol Sci) Vol. 21 Issue 22 (Nov 19 2020) ISSN: 1422-0067 [Electronic] Switzerland
• PMID: 33227947 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Review)

Chemical References

• Biomarkers, Tumor
• Circulating Tumor DNA
• Neoplasm Proteins
• STAT3 Transcription Factor
• STAT3 protein, human
• JAK2 protein, human
• Janus Kinase 2

Topics

• Biological Transport
• Biomarkers, Tumor (blood, genetics)
• Cell Communication
• Cell Transformation, Neoplastic (genetics, metabolism, pathology)
• Circulating Tumor DNA (blood, genetics)
• Exosomes (chemistry, genetics, pathology)
• Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic
• Humans
• Janus Kinase 2 (genetics, metabolism)
• Lymphatic Metastasis
• Neoplasm Proteins (genetics, metabolism)
• Neoplasms (blood, genetics, pathology)
• Neoplastic Cells, Circulating (metabolism, pathology)
• Oncogenes
• STAT3 Transcription Factor (genetics, metabolism)
• Signal Transduction
• Stress, Physiological
• Tumor Microenvironment (genetics)