Cancer-derived small extracellular vesicles affect vascular endothelial cells and promote adhesiveness of pancreatic cancer cells

Abstract

Abstract Objectives Pancreatic cancer (PC) is one of the most aggressive malignancies due to the high rate of metastasis. The mechanisms underlying metastasis need to be elucidated. Small extracellular vesicles (sEVs) mediate cell-to-cell communication, and cancer-derived sEVs contribute to the formation of pre-metastatic niches. The present study examined changes in adhesiveness by the internalization of PC-derived sEVs into vascular endothelial cells, and investigated the molecular mechanisms underlying metastasis. Methods PC-derived sEVs were internalized into vascular endothelial cells, and changes in adhesiveness were evaluated. We evaluated the effects of sEVs on the formation of liver metastasis in vivo. We also assessed molecular changes in vascular endothelial cells by the internalization of PC-derived sEVs. Results The internalization of PC-derived sEVs into vascular endothelial cells promoted the adhesiveness of vascular endothelial cells and PC cells. PC-derived sEVs contained high levels of transforming growth factor 1 mRNA and acted as its transporter. Once PC-derived sEVs were internalized into vascular endothelial cells, the expression of fibronectin 1 increased on the cell surface, and the adhesiveness of vascular endothelial cells was enhanced. Conclusions We investigated association between PC-derived sEVs and adhesiveness. Regulation of PC-derived sEVs has potential as a therapeutic modality to suppress the metastasis of PC.