Adipocyte-derived extracellular vesicles: bridging the communications between obesity and tumor microenvironment

Abstract

By the year 2035 more than 4 billion people might be affected by obesity and being overweight. Adipocyte-derived Extracellular Vesicles (ADEVs/ADEV-singular) are essential for communication between the tumor microenvironment (TME) and obesity, emerging as a prominent mechanism of tumor progression. Adipose tissue (AT) becomes hypertrophic and hyperplastic in an obese state resulting in insulin resistance in the body. This modifies the energy supply to tumor cells and simultaneously stimulates the production of pro-inflammatory adipokines. In addition, obese AT has a dysregulated cargo content of discharged ADEVs, leading to elevated amounts of pro-inflammatory proteins, fatty acids, and carcinogenic microRNAs. ADEVs are strongly associated with hallmarks of cancer (proliferation and resistance to cell death, angiogenesis, invasion, metastasis, immunological response) and may be useful as biomarkers and antitumor therapy strategy. Given the present developments in obesity and cancer-related research, we conclude by outlining significant challenges and significant advances that must be addressed expeditiously to promote ADEVs research and clinical applications.

Adipose tissue as a therapeutic target for vascular damage in Alzheimer's disease

“…These and other adipokines play crucial roles in mediating the crosstalk between AT and various organs, contributing to metabolic dysregulation and obesity-related complications. Changes in their secretion during obesity disrupt physiological processes and contribute to the pathogenesis of obesity-related health problems, including cancer, asthma, cardiovascular problems, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and mental disorders (Bluher, 2019;Miethe et al, 2020;Piche et al, 2020;Polyzos et al, 2019;Selman et al, 2022;Zhou et al, 2023).…”