Journal article
Extracellular vesicle heterogeneity: Subpopulations, isolation techniques, and diverse functions in cancer progression
- Abstract:
- Cells release membrane enclosed nano-sized vesicles termed extracellular vesicles (EVs) that function as mediators of intercellular communication by transferring biological information between cells. Tumor-derived EVs have emerged as important mediators in cancer development and progression, mainly through transfer of their bioactive content which can include oncoproteins, oncogenes, chemokine receptors, as well as soluble factors, transcripts of proteins and miRNAs involved in angiogenesis or inflammation. This transfer has been shown to influence the metastatic behavior of primary tumors. Moreover, tumor-derived EVs have been shown to influence distant cellular niches, establishing favorable microenvironments that support growth of disseminated cancer cells upon their arrival at these pre-metastatic niches. It is generally accepted that cells release a number of major EV populations with distinct biophysical properties and biological functions. Exosomes, microvesicles, and apoptotic bodies are EV populations most widely studied and characterized. They are discriminated based primarily on their intracellular origin. However, increasing evidence suggests that even within these EV populations various subpopulations may exist. This heterogeneity introduces an extra level of complexity in the study of EV biology and function. For example, EV subpopulations could have unique roles in the intricate biological processes underlying cancer biology. Here, we discuss current knowledge regarding the role of subpopulations of EVs in cancer development and progression and highlight the relevance of EV heterogeneity. The position of tetraspanins and integrins therein will be highlighted. Since addressing EV heterogeneity has become essential for the EV field, current and novel techniques for isolating EV subpopulations will also be discussed. Further dissection of EV heterogeneity will advance our understanding of the critical roles of EVs in health and disease.
- Publication status:
- Published
- Peer review status:
- Peer reviewed
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(Preview, Version of record, pdf, 1.5MB, Terms of use)
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- Publisher copy:
- 10.3389/fimmu.2018.00738
Authors
+ Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council
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- Funding agency for:
- Willms, E
- Grant:
- 1530868
+ Ministerio Español de Economía y Competitividad
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- Funding agency for:
- Cabañas, C
- Grant:
- SAF2016-77096-R
+ Netherlands Organisation for Scientific Research
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- Funding agency for:
- Vader, P
- Publisher:
- Frontiers Media
- Journal:
- Frontiers in Immunology More from this journal
- Volume:
- 9
- Article number:
- 738
- Publication date:
- 2018-04-30
- Acceptance date:
- 2018-03-26
- DOI:
- ISSN:
-
1664-3224
- Keywords:
- Pubs id:
-
pubs:844856
- UUID:
-
uuid:9d2ef4be-c85f-490f-a5c1-7f6c6bf233f5
- Local pid:
-
pubs:844856
- Source identifiers:
-
844856
- Deposit date:
-
2018-04-30
- ARK identifier:
Terms of use
- Copyright holder:
- © 2018 Willms, et al
- Copyright date:
- 2018
- Notes:
- This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY). The use, distribution or reproduction in other forums is permitted, provided the original author(s) and the copyright owner are credited and that the original publication in this journal is cited, in accordance with accepted academic practice. No use, distribution or reproduction is permitted which does not comply with these terms
- Licence:
- CC Attribution (CC BY)
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