Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is characterized by a propensity for multifocality, growth by local spread, and dysregulation of multiple signaling pathways. These features may be determined by the tumoral microenvironment. The potential of tumor cells to modulate HCC growth and behavior by secreted proteins has been extensively studied. In contrast the potential for genetic modulation is poorly understood. We investigated the role and involvement of tumor derived nanovesicles capable of altering gene expression, and characterized their ability to modulate cell signaling and biological effects in other cells. We show that HCC cells can produce nanovesicles, exosomes, that differ in both RNA and protein content from their cells of origin. These can be taken up and internalized by other cells, and can transmit a functional transgene. The microRNA content of these exosomes was examined, and a subset that is highly enriched within exosomes was identified. A combinatorial approach to identify potential targets identified transforming growth factor β activated kinase-1 (TAK1) as the most likely candidate pathway that could be modulated by these miRNA. Loss of TAK1 has been implicated in hepatocarcinogenesis and is a biologically plausible target for inter-cellular modulation. We showed that HCC cell derived exosomes can modulate TAK1 expression and associated signaling and enhance transformed cell growth in recipient cells. Conclusion: Exosome mediated miRNA transfer is an important mechanism of inter-cellular communication in HCC cells. These observations identify a unique inter-cellular mechanism that could potentially contribute to local spread, intrahepatic metastases or multifocal growth in HCC.

Dynamic actin remodelling processes at the leading edge of migrating tumour cells are concerted events controlled by a fine-tuned temporal and spatial interplay of kinases and phosphatases. Actin severing is regulated by ADF/Cofilin which regulates stimulus-induced lamellipodia protrusion and directed cell motility. Cofilin is activated by dephosphorylation via phosphatases of the slingshot (SSH) family. SSH activity is strongly increased by its binding to filamentous actin (F-actin), however, other upstream regulators remain unknown. We show that in response to RhoA activation, Protein Kinase D1 (PKD1) phosphorylates the SSH enzyme SSH1L at a serine residue located in its actin binding motif. This generates a 14-3-3 binding motif, blocks the localization of SSH1L to F-actin-rich structures in the lamellipodium by sequestering it in the cytoplasm. Consequently, expression of constitutively-active PKD1 in invasive tumour cells enhanced phosphorylation of cofilin and effectively blocked the formation of free actin filament barbed ends and directed cell migration.

HighlightsSelected long non-coding RNA are aberrantly expressed in hepatocellular cancers.linc-ROR is a highly upregulated lncRNA that is expressed in response to TGFβ.linc-ROR contributes to chemoresistance of HCC cells.Intercellular transfer of linc-ROR occurs within extracellular vesicles.