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Updated: Jun 22, 2025
Molecular Profiling of the Invasive Tumor Microenvironment in a 3-Dimensional Model of Colorectal Cancer Cells and Ex vivo Fibroblasts
Published on: April 29, 2014
Proteomic Analysis of Butyrate-Resistant Colorectal Cancer-Derived Exosomes Reveals Potential Resistance to
Kesara Nittayaboon1, Kittinun Leetanaporn1, Surasak Sangkhathat1
1Department of Biomedical Sciences and Biomedical Engineering, Faculty of Medicine, Prince of Songkla University, 90110 Hat Yai, Songkhla, Thailand.
Background:
Butyrate-resistant (BR) cells play an important role in acquiring chemoresistance in colorectal cancer (CRC). Our previous study demonstrated that BR CRC cells showed cross-resistance to chemotherapy drugs, including 5-fluorouracil and oxaliplatin, in both monolayer and spheroid cultures. The mechanisms underlying drug resistance were also elucidated. However, the link between parental (PT) and BR cells remains unclear. Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are key cell-cell communications that transport various molecules, including DNA, RNA, and proteins, between the donor and target cells. EVs contribute to drug resistance in cancers, such as melanoma and lung cancer. Recently, we focused on the correlation of proteomic profiles of EVs from different cell types.
Methods:
In this study, we analyzed the proteomic profiles of EVs derived from PT and BR cells to investigate the mechanisms underlying the butyrate- and chemo-resistant phenotypes. EVs were isolated from PT and BR cells using ultracentrifugation. The characteristics of the EVs were evaluated using western blot and transmission electron microscopy. The EV proteomic data were further analyzed using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry.
Results:
We identified a unique protein expressed in BR cells related to the chemoresistant phenotype. Functional enrichment analysis showed that BR cells had higher protein catalytic activity, binding, and transcription activity. The STITCH database showed a greater correlation between protein-drug interactions in BR cells than in PT cells. Moreover, our findings support the hypothesis that EVs promote tumor progression and metastasis and affect the tumor microenvironment.
Conclusions:
Proteomic analysis of EVs from BR CRC cells reveals insights into drug resistance mechanisms, including protein-mediated carcinogenesis and reduced drug uptake, offering potential strategies to overcome resistance in clinical practice.
