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MicroRNA Shuttle from Cell-To-Cell by Exosomes and Its Impact in Cancer

Heidi Schwarzenbach1, Peter B Gahan2

  • 1Department of Tumor Biology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, 20246 Hamburg, Germany. hschwarz@uke.uni-hamburg.de.

Non-Coding RNA
|March 24, 2019
PubMed

Insights

Exosomes, tiny vesicles carrying microRNAs (miRNAs), act as intercellular messengers. This review explores their biogenesis, intercellular movement, and roles in breast, ovarian, and prostate cancer progression.

Area of Science:

  • Cell biology
  • Molecular biology
  • Cancer research

Background:

  • Exosomes are identified as key intercellular communication vehicles.
  • Exosomes are linked to multivesicular bodies.
  • Exosomes contain microRNAs (miRNAs) that can influence recipient cells.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review exosome and miRNA biogenesis and intercellular transport.
  • To discuss the role of miRNAs in cancer development and progression.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of exosome and miRNA biology.
  • Analysis of miRNA involvement in specific cancer types.

Main Results:

  • Exosomes facilitate intercellular signaling through miRNA transfer.
  • miRNAs play significant roles in the development and progression of breast, ovarian, and prostate cancers.

Conclusions:

  • Exosomes represent a novel avenue for studying intercellular signaling in cancer.
  • Targeting exosome-mediated miRNA transfer could offer therapeutic strategies for cancer.
Keywords:
breast cancerepithelialexosomal signalingexosome biogenesisexosome functionsmicroRNA biogenesismicroRNA functionsmicroRNA pathwaysovarian cancerprostate cancer

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