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Using Nanoplasmon-Enhanced Scattering and Low-Magnification Microscope Imaging to Quantify Tumor-Derived Exosomes
Published on: May 24, 2019
A study on the effects of tumor-derived exosomes on hepatoma cells and hepatocytes by atomic force microscopy
Tuoyu Ju1, Shuwei Wang, Jiajia Wang
1International Research Centre for Nano Handling and Manufacturing of China, Changchun University of Science and Technology, Changchun 130022, China. wangz@cust.edu.cn chenyujuan@cust.edu.cn zhangjingran@cust.edu.cn.
Abstract:
Tumor-derived exosomes (exos) are closely related to the occurrence, development and treatment of tumors. However, it is not clear how the exosomes affect the physical properties, which lead to the deterioration of the target cells. In this paper, atomic force microscopy (AFM) was used to study the effects of exosomes in HCC-LM3 cells and other cells (SMMC-7721 and HL-7702). The results showed that the HCC-LM3-exos (the exosomes secreted by HCC-LM3 cells, 50 μg mL-1) significantly promoted the proliferation and migration of HCC-LM3 cells. HCC-LM3-exos also promoted the proliferation and migration of SMMC-7721 and HL-7702 cells at 1000 and 1500 μg mL-1, respectively. With an increase in time and concentration, the proliferation effect was more significant. On comparing the mechanical properties of the three types of cells (HCC-LM3, SMMC-7721 and HL-7702 cells), the degradation degree and migration ability of the cells were from high to low in the above order. In turn, the surface roughness of the cells decreased, and adhesion and elastic modulus increased. With an increase in treatment time, surface roughness increased, while adhesion and elastic modulus decreased. These suggested that the HCC-LM3-exos could change the mechanical properties of cells, leading to their deterioration, and enhance their migration and invasion ability. In this paper, the effects of exosomes were analyzed from the perspective of the physical parameters of cells, which provide a new idea to study cancer metastasis and prognosis.
Insights
Tumor-derived exosomes alter cell physical properties, promoting cancer cell proliferation and migration. This study reveals how exosomes impact cell mechanics, offering new insights into cancer metastasis and prognosis.
Area of Science:
- Cell Biology
- Biophysics
- Cancer Research
Background:
- Tumor-derived exosomes (exos) are implicated in cancer progression.
- The impact of exosomes on target cell physical properties remains unclear.
- Understanding these effects is crucial for cancer treatment and prognosis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effects of exosomes from hepatocellular carcinoma cells (HCC-LM3-exos) on the physical properties and behavior of target cells.
- To analyze changes in cell mechanical properties, proliferation, and migration.
- To explore the relationship between exosome concentration, treatment time, and cellular responses.
Main Methods:
- Utilized Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) to assess cell mechanical properties.
- Studied the effects of HCC-LM3-exos on HCC-LM3, SMMC-7721, and HL-7702 cells.
- Quantified cell proliferation and migration rates under exosome treatment.
Main Results:
- HCC-LM3-exos significantly promoted proliferation and migration in HCC-LM3, SMMC-7721, and HL-7702 cells in a dose- and time-dependent manner.
- Exosome treatment altered cell mechanical properties: increased surface roughness, decreased adhesion, and reduced elastic modulus over time.
- Cells treated with HCC-LM3-exos showed increased degradation and migration ability, correlating with changes in physical properties.
Conclusions:
- HCC-LM3-exos can modify the mechanical properties of target cells, leading to enhanced migration and invasion.
- Altered cell physical parameters provide a novel perspective for understanding cancer metastasis.
- This research offers new avenues for studying cancer prognosis and developing therapeutic strategies targeting exosome-mediated effects.
