Exosomes derived from Piwil2 ‑induced cancer stem cells transform fibroblasts into cancer‑associated fibroblasts.

Exosomes derived from Piwil2‑induced cancer stem cells transform fibroblasts into cancer‑associated fibroblasts. Oncol Rep. 2020 Feb 10;: Authors: Zhang D, Li D, Shen L, Hu D, Tang B, Guo W, Wang Z, Zhang Z, Wei G, He D Abstract Recently, several studies have demonstrated that cancer cell‑derived exosomes can facilitate tumor development and metastasis formation. However, the detailed function of exosomes released by cancer stem cells (CSCs) requires further investigation. The aim of the present study was to investigate the role of CSC‑derived exosomes in tumor development. For this purpose, Piwil2‑induced cancer stem cells (Piwil2‑iCSCs) were used as exosome‑generating cells, while fibroblasts (FBs) served as recipient cells. Exosomes were isolated by the ultracentrifugation of Piwil2‑iCSC‑conditioned medium and identified by transmission electron microscopy, nanoparticle tracking analysis and western blot analysis. To evaluate the effects of the exosomes on cell proliferation, migration and invasion, cell counting assay (CCK‑8), a wound healing assay and a Transwell assay were performed. Protein expression [matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)2, MMP9, α‑smooth muscle actin (α‑SMA) and vimentin and fibroblast‑activating protein (FAP)] was examined in FBs by western blot analysis. It was found that the Piwil2‑iCSC‑derived exosomes (Piwil2‑iCSC‑Exo) were oval or spherical, membrane‑coated vesicles with ...
Source: Oncology Reports - Category: Cancer & Oncology Tags: Oncol Rep Source Type: research