Small But Mighty: Microparticles as Mediators of Tumor Progression

Abstract

A wide spectrum of both normal and diseased cell types shed extracellular vesicles that facilitate intercellular communication without direct cell-to-cell contact. Microparticles (MPs) are a subtype of extracellular vesicles that participate in multiple biological processes. They carry abundant bioactive molecules including different forms of nucleic acids and proteins that can markedly modulate cellular behavior. MPs are involved in several hallmarks of cancer such as drug resistance, thrombosis, immune evasion, angiogenesis, tumor invasion and metastasis. Such MPs originate from either cancer or other host cells. As MPs are secreted and can be detected in various body fluids, they can be used as potential diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers as well as vehicles for delivery of cytotoxic drugs. This review summarizes accumulating evidence on the biological properties of MPs in cancer, with reference to their potential usage in clinical settings.

Emerging picture of the distinct traits and functions of microvesicles and exosomes

“…We also now need to consider what these findings might imply for the possibility of transferring endogenous DNA via MVs into cells. Moreover, it will also be important to better understand how the findings reported by Kanada et al can be reconciled with the many other studies showing that both exosomes and MVs are capable of transferring all types of cargo, including proteins, RNA transcripts, and microRNAs, into recipient cells and in a manner that retains their functional activities (4)(5)(6)(7)(8)(9)(10)(11)(12)(13)(14). Admittedly, we have a long way to go in achieving a comprehensive picture of the functional roles of EVs.…”

“…Thus, a tumor burden may not be solely due to the expansion of the cancer cells but may also include those normal cells that have been engaged by EVs and thus undergone changes that enable them to exhibit phenotypes reminiscent of cancer cells. Moreover, other studies have further implicated EVs in shaping the tumor microenvironment through the recruitment of stroma and immune cells to the tumor, as well as inducing tumor vascularization (8,13,14). Both of these outcomes are important steps for supplying the tumor with the necessary nutrients and oxygen to sustain its growth.…”

Proteomics of Microparticles with SILAC Quantification (PROMIS-Quan): A Novel Proteomic Method for Plasma Biomarker Quantification*

“…Microparticles are large vesicles (100 nm-1 m), which protrude directly from the plasma membrane, whereas exosomes are smaller (40 -100 nm) and originate from endocytic compartments known as the multivesicular endosomes. These microvesicles are constitutively shed from all cell types into the blood, carrying a proteomic signature of their cells of origin (10). Microparticles mediate local and systemic communication in various conditions, in particularly in cancer, where they can promote metastasis, immune evasion of cancer cells and angiogenesis (10 -13), but also in other conditions including autoimmune diseases (14) and cardiovascular disorders (15).…”

Perspectives in Engineered Mesenchymal Stem/Stromal Cells Based Anti- Cancer Drug Delivery Systems

“…Tumorstroma interactions are considered a fundamental necessity for tumor development and progression. Interplay between tumor and non-malignant host cells (e.g., stromal cells, immune cells, activated endothelium) has also been described [136]. MSCs can be used in investigations of tumor microenvironment for anticancer drug development as is presented in the patent published in 2012 by Banerjee et al [137].…”