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Extracellular vesicles cargo from head and neck cancer cell lines disrupt dendritic cells function and match plasma

Elisangela de Paula Silva1, Luciana Cavalheiro Marti1, Flávia Maziero Andreghetto1

  • 1Centro de Pesquisa Experimental, Albert Einstein Research and Education Institute, Hospital Israelita Albert Einstein, Sao Paulo, Brazil.

Scientific Reports
|September 18, 2021
PubMed

Insights

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) from squamous cell carcinoma cells transfer microRNAs to immune cells, disrupting their maturation. This highlights EVs

Area of Science:

  • Immunology
  • Oncology
  • Molecular Biology

Background:

  • Extracellular vesicles (EVs) mediate intercellular communication, particularly in immune responses.
  • MicroRNAs encapsulated within EVs can be transferred between cancer and immune cells.
  • Understanding EV-mediated signaling is crucial for cancer immunology.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the effects of EVs from squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) on immune cells.
  • To define the role of microRNAs within these EVs in modulating immune responses.
  • To explore the potential of EV-derived microRNAs as biomarkers for head and neck SCC.

Main Methods:

  • MicroRNA profiling of EVs from two distinct SCC cell lines.
  • Treatment of monocyte-derived dendritic cells (mono-DCs) with SCC-derived EVs.
  • Confirmation of EV internalization by mono-DCs via surface marker analysis.
  • Analysis of microRNA and mRNA target expression in treated mono-DCs.

Main Results:

  • EVs from SCC cells were internalized by mono-DCs.
  • EVs induced down-regulation of microRNA mRNA targets in mono-DCs.
  • SCC-derived EVs altered dendritic cell surface markers, indicating disrupted maturation.
  • Specific microRNAs (e.g., miR-17-5p, miR-21, miR-16, miR-24, miR-181a, miR-23b) found in EVs were also detected in SCC patient plasma.

Conclusions:

  • EVs play a significant role in cancer-immune crosstalk in head and neck SCC.
  • EV-encapsulated microRNAs can modulate immune cell function and maturation.
  • Specific microRNAs in EVs and patient plasma may serve as potential biomarkers for head and neck SCC.

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