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Updated: Jul 30, 2026
Characterization of Immune Cell-derived Extracellular Vesicles and Studying Functional Impact on Cell Environment
Published on: June 2, 2020
Extracellular vesicles isolated from SphK1 inhibitor SKI II-medium restrain the migration of colorectal cancer
Chunyan Xu1,2, Yingbin Hu1, Guodong Dai1
1Department of Gastroenterology and Institute of Digestive Diseases, Binzhou Medical University Hospital, Binzhou, China.
Background:
Colorectal cancer is a chronic disease particularly detrimental to human health. Although there have been many studies on colorectal cancer and extracellular vesicles (EVs), it is unknown whether SKI II, an inhibitor of sphingosine kinase 1 (SphK1), uses EVs as transporters to inhibit colorectal cancer migration. This research aimed to investigate whether EVs, which were isolated from SphK1 inhibitor SKI II-medium, affected on E-cadherin and vimentin and the cell migration of colorectal cancer cells.
Methods:
EVs were extracted from RKO cells using an exosome extraction and purification kit, and the extracted EVs were identified to evaluate whether the EVs extracted by this kit met the experimental requirements. RKOEVs were extracted from RKO exosom-free serum culture medium, and RKO-SKEVs were extracted from RKO exosom-free serum culture medium with SKI II intervention. PKH67-labeled EVs were added to the cells. EVs inhibitor GW4869, RKOEVs, and RKO-SKEVs were used to intervene in RKO cells, and RKOEVs and RKO-SKEVs were used to intervene in HT29 cells. The E-cadherin and vimentin expression were tested by western blotting. Transwell assay was used to detect cell migration ability.
Results:
Compared with the control group, after GW4869 treatment, E-cadherin was increased, vimentin was decreased, and the number of migrating cells was decreased. After RKOEVs intervention, the expression of E-cadherin, vimentin and cell migration number were opposite. Compared with RKOEVs intervention in RKO cells, E-cadherin was increased, vimentin was decreased and the number of migrating cells decreased after RKO-SKEVs intervention. Similarly, compared with RKOEVs intervention in HT29 cells, after RKO-SKEVs intervention, E-cadherin was increased, vimentin was decreased, and the number of migrating cells decreased.
Conclusions:
EVs isolated from SphK1 inhibitor SKI II-medium affect E-cadherin and vimentin expression in colorectal cancer and inhibit cell migration.
Insights
Extracellular vesicles (EVs) carrying the sphingosine kinase 1 (SphK1) inhibitor SKI II can inhibit colorectal cancer cell migration. These EVs also influence E-cadherin and vimentin expression, key markers in cancer progression.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Cell Biology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Colorectal cancer (CRC) poses a significant health burden.
- The role of extracellular vesicles (EVs) in CRC progression is under investigation.
- The potential of sphingosine kinase 1 (SphK1) inhibitor SKI II, transported via EVs, to affect CRC migration remains unclear.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine if EVs derived from SKI II-treated medium can inhibit colorectal cancer cell migration.
- To investigate the impact of these EVs on E-cadherin and vimentin expression in CRC cells.
Main Methods:
- EVs were isolated from RKO cells cultured with or without SKI II.
- EVs were characterized and used to treat RKO and HT29 colorectal cancer cells.
- Western blotting assessed E-cadherin and vimentin expression; Transwell assays measured cell migration.
Main Results:
- Treatment with an EVs inhibitor (GW4869) increased E-cadherin, decreased vimentin, and reduced cell migration.
- EVs from SKI II-treated RKO cells (RKO-SK-EVs) significantly increased E-cadherin and decreased vimentin expression compared to EVs from untreated RKO cells (RKO-EVs).
- RKO-SK-EVs markedly inhibited cell migration in both RKO and HT29 cells compared to RKO-EVs.
Conclusions:
- EVs isolated from SKI II-treated medium can inhibit colorectal cancer cell migration.
- These EVs modulate the expression of E-cadherin and vimentin, suggesting a mechanism for their anti-migratory effect.
- This study highlights the potential of SKI II-loaded EVs as a therapeutic strategy for colorectal cancer.
