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Updated: Mar 24, 2026

In Vivo Immunogenicity Screening of Tumor-Derived Extracellular Vesicles by Flow Cytometry of Splenic T Cells
08:02

In Vivo Immunogenicity Screening of Tumor-Derived Extracellular Vesicles by Flow Cytometry of Splenic T Cells

Published on: September 23, 2021

3.1K

Exosomes and tumor-mediated immune suppression

Theresa L Whiteside

    The Journal of Clinical Investigation
    |March 2, 2016
    PubMed

    Insights

    Tumor-derived exosomes (TEX) suppress the immune system by delivering immunosuppressive molecules and genetic material to immune cells. These exosomes hinder antitumor responses and can interfere with cancer immunotherapies, impacting tumor progression.

    Area of Science:

    • Immunology
    • Oncology
    • Cell Biology

    Background:

    • Tumor-derived exosomes (TEX) are key mediators of immune suppression in the tumor microenvironment.
    • TEX carry immunosuppressive molecules and factors that directly impact immune cell function.

    Purpose of the Study:

    • To elucidate the multifaceted roles of TEX in immune suppression.
    • To understand how TEX influence immune cell development, maturation, and antitumor activity.
    • To explore the potential of TEX as biomarkers and their interference with cancer immunotherapy.

    Main Methods:

    • Analysis of molecular cargo within TEX (proteins, DNA, RNA, microRNAs).
    • Investigating the transfer of cargo from TEX to immune cells.
    • Assessing the functional consequences of TEX-immune cell interactions on immune responses.
    • Evaluating TEX in the context of tumor progression and immunotherapy.

    Main Results:

    • TEX deliver immunosuppressive proteins, DNA, mRNA, and microRNAs to immune cells.
    • These delivered molecules reprogram immune cells, promoting tumor progression.
    • TEX interfere with the development, maturation, and antitumor functions of immune cells.
    • TEX carrying tumor antigens can impede the efficacy of antitumor immunotherapies.

    Conclusions:

    • TEX are critical players in establishing and maintaining an immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment.
    • TEX actively reprogram immune cells to foster tumor growth and evade immune surveillance.
    • TEX represent potential noninvasive biomarkers for tumor progression and targets for overcoming immunotherapy resistance.

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