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The Interplay of Exosomes and NK Cells in Cancer Biology

Inês A Batista1,2,3, Sofia T Quintas1,2,4, Sónia A Melo1,2,4

  • 1i3S-Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal.

Cancers
|February 3, 2021
PubMed

Insights

Natural killer (NK) cells, crucial for cancer surveillance, are impacted by exosomes. This review explores how cancer exosomes reprogram NK cells and the therapeutic potential of NK cell-derived exosomes in cancer treatment.

Area of Science:

  • Immunology
  • Cancer Biology
  • Cellular Communication

Background:

  • Natural killer (NK) cells are innate immune cells vital for identifying and eliminating cancerous cells.
  • Exosomes, small extracellular vesicles, mediate intercellular communication and play a role in cancer progression and immune evasion.
  • The precise function of exosomes in the interaction between cancer cells and NK cells remains an area of active investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the reprogramming effects of tumor-derived exosomes (TDEs) on NK cells.
  • To explore the immunotherapeutic potential of NK cell-derived exosomes in cancer treatment.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of existing studies on exosome-NK cell interactions in cancer.
  • Analysis of experimental data on the immunomodulatory effects of TDEs and NK cell-derived exosomes.

Main Results:

  • Tumor-derived exosomes can exhibit dual roles, either suppressing or activating NK cell activity, contributing to tumor immune escape.
  • NK cell-derived exosomes demonstrate potential in modulating the immune system for therapeutic benefit.

Conclusions:

  • Exosomes significantly influence NK cell function in the context of cancer, presenting both challenges and opportunities for treatment.
  • Further research into exosome-based strategies holds promise for novel cancer immunotherapies.
Keywords:
Natural Killer cellscancerexosomesimmune systemimmunomodulationtumor microenvironment

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