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An In Vitro Protocol for Evaluating MicroRNA Levels, Functions, and Associated Target Genes in Tumor Cells
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MicroRNA Targeting to Modulate Tumor Microenvironment

Praneeth R Kuninty1, Jonas Schnittert1, Gert Storm2

  • 1Targeted Therapeutics Section, Department of Biomaterials, Science and Technology, MIRA Institute for Biomedical Technology and Technical Medicine, University of Twente , Enschede , Netherlands.

Frontiers in Oncology
|February 3, 2016
PubMed

Insights

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) regulate intercellular communication within the tumor microenvironment, influencing cancer progression. This review explores dysregulated miRNAs in stromal cells and potential non-viral delivery systems for miRNA therapeutics.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Biochemistry

Background:

  • Stromal cells and tumor cells communicate, driving cancer growth, angiogenesis, invasion, and metastasis.
  • MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are key regulators of cellular processes and are implicated in cancer development and progression.
  • Dysregulation of miRNAs in the tumor microenvironment significantly impacts intercellular crosstalk.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To provide a comprehensive overview of miRNAs dysregulated in various stromal cells.
  • To elucidate the impact of these miRNAs on intercellular crosstalk within the tumor microenvironment.
  • To discuss the therapeutic potential of miRNAs for modulating the tumor microenvironment and review non-viral delivery systems.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of studies on miRNAs in the tumor microenvironment.
  • Analysis of miRNA dysregulation in cancer-associated fibroblasts, tumor-associated macrophages, pericytes, endothelial cells, and immune cells.
  • Review of non-viral miRNA delivery systems for targeting stromal cells.

Main Results:

  • miRNAs are significantly dysregulated in diverse stromal cell populations within the tumor microenvironment.
  • These dysregulated miRNAs play crucial roles in regulating intercellular communication and promoting cancer progression.
  • Various non-viral delivery systems show promise for therapeutic miRNA targeting of stromal cells.

Conclusions:

  • Targeting dysregulated miRNAs in stromal cells offers a promising therapeutic strategy for cancer treatment.
  • Modulating intercellular crosstalk via miRNA therapeutics can inhibit tumor growth, angiogenesis, invasion, and metastasis.
  • Overcoming miRNA delivery challenges with non-viral systems is critical for clinical translation of miRNA-based cancer therapies.
Keywords:
cancer-associated fibroblastsgene deliverymicroRNAtumor microenvironmenttumor stromatumor-associated macrophages

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