Abstract
Cells utilize different means of inter‐cellular communication to function properly. Here, we review the crosstalk between cancer cells and their surrounding environment through microRNA (miRNA)‐containing extracellular vesicles (EVs). The current findings suggest that the export of miRNAs and uptake of miRNA‐containing EVs might be an active process. As post‐transcriptional regulators of gene expression, cancer‐derived miRNAs that are taken up by normal cells can change the translational profile of the recipient cell towards a transformed proteome. Stromal cells can also deliver miRNAs via EVs to cancer cells to support tumour growth and cancer progression. Therefore, gaining a better understanding of EV‐mediated inter‐cellular communication in the tumour microenvironment might lead to the development of novel diagnostic and therapeutic strategies.
Highlights
Membrane trafficking can take place intra- or inter-cellularly.[1,2] While intracellular membrane trafficking has been well-studied, inter-cellular communication via extracellular vesicles (EVs) has only recently emerged as a novel cell signalling mechanism.[3]
Living cells secrete both exosomes (~40-100 nm in diameter) and ectosomes or microvesicles (~100-1000 nm in diameter). The former originates from endosomal multivesicular bodies (MVBs) that fuse with the cell membrane, whereas the latter directly bud from the cell membrane upon stimulation
Mao et al[93] reported that exosomal miR-494 from A549 non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cells promotes HUVEC migration and angiogenesis by downregulating PTEN, which results in activation of the Akt/eNOS pathway (Figure 3)
Summary
Membrane trafficking can take place intra- or inter-cellularly.[1,2] While intracellular membrane trafficking has been well-studied, inter-cellular communication via extracellular vesicles (EVs) has only recently emerged as a novel cell signalling mechanism.[3].
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