EXOSOMES AND TRANSFER OF (EPI)GENETIC INFORMATION BY TUMOR CELLS

Abstract

In this review, we will introduce the current knowledge about exosomes – vesicles that are generated in the cells and released into the extracellular space. Exosomes are forming in the cell plasma membrane and represent the spherical shapes restricted by their membrane and contained the various biomolecules including nucleic acids, proteins, lipids etc. The intent interest to exosomes is based on their ability to horizontal transfer between the cells, to permeate into vascular system reaching the different tissues and to incorporate into the recipient cells. It was shown that exosome incorporation into the cells lead to remarkable changes in the recipient cells both in genomic level (via the integration of exosomal DNA into the host DNA) and in epigenomic level (via the modulation of the content and/or activity of the signaling proteins, microRNA etc.). Undoubtedly, one of the most interesting and perspective achievements in the exosome study is the demonstration of exosome ability to provide the horizontal transfer of the genetic information from cell to cell – the fact supported in the different studies with the various cell models. Here, we will discuss the recent data regarding the main characteristics and properties of exosomes, the role of exosomes in the tumorigenesis including neoplastic transformation, metastasis, multi-drug resistance. The final part of the review involves the most growing area in the exosome study – the possible usage of exosomes in the cancer treatment, in particular – as the specific drug delivery system.

Keywords

• экзосомы
• злокачественные опухоли
• микрорнк
• опухолевая трансформация
• метастазирование
• лекарственная устойчивость
• гормональная устойчивость
• доставка лекарственных препаратов