What potential role do exosomes play in intercellular communication within the brain tumor microenvironment, and how can they be exploited for diagnostic or therapeutic purposes?
Hello Tajinder Kumar Saini
Exosomes facilitate intercellular communication and regulation within the tumor microenvironment. Tumor cells can release exosomes to transmit messages, induce macrophage polarization, and inhibit immune cell activity, ultimately promoting metastasis and immune evasion. Moreover, immune cells can regulate tumorigenesis and progression through exosomes.
The immune cells in the tumor microenvironment compete with glioma cells for nutrients, and the metabolites produced during this competition can affect immune cell differentiation and function. Glioma cells can influence the process of immune cells by secreting exosomes and promote their malignant progression. For instance, glioma cell-derived exosome cargo containing circ-NEIL3/HECTD4/IGF2BP3 are received by tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) conferring immunosuppressive properties on TAMs. Similarly, immune cells can influence glioma progression by delivering substances to glioma cells through exosomes. For instance, M2 microglia derived exosome cargo containing miR-7239-3p/BMAL1 is received by glioma cells helping to promote glioma proliferation and migration.
You may want to refer to the article attached below for more information.
Article Exosomes‐mediated crosstalk between glioma and immune cells ...
You could use exosomes in the treatment of brain tumors in two ways.
1. You may identify, target and inhibit those exosomes that are involved in the progression of brain tumors. You target the exosomes and the corresponding nucleic acids and proteins in order to treat the tumor. For instance, PD-L1 is a ligand of PD-1, and the PD-L1 binding with PD-1 leads to suppression of T-cell activation thereby inhibiting anti-tumor immunity and protecting the tumor cells. So, PDL-1 protein containing exosomes secreted by the tumor cells can be inhibited by an inhibitor (drug) leading to anti-cancer effect.
2. You may treat brain tumors by exosomes carrying effective contents such as mRNAs, proteins, and lipids.
For diagnostic purpose, the exosomes could be used as follows.
The exosomes contain different miRNAs with different activities and roles. Their detection may be used as an effective diagnostic marker. For instance, miR-221 and miR-21 have been evaluated as biomarkers in CSF of glioblastoma patients. Please refer to the article attached below for more information.
Article MicroRNAs as biomarkers for human glioblastoma: progress and potential
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