Background
Interactions between malignant cells and neighboring normal cells is important for carcinogenesis. In addition, cancer cell-derived exosomes have been shown to promote the malignant transformation of recipient cells, but the mechanisms remain unclear.
Methods
The level of miR-224-5p in colorectal cancer (CRC) cell-derived exosomes was determined by RT-qPCR assay. In addition, PKH26 dye-labeled exosomes were used to assess the efficacy of the transfer of exosomes between SW620 and CCD 841 CoN cells.
Results
In this study, we found that overexpression of miR-224-5p significantly promoted the proliferation, migration and invasion of SW620 cells. In addition, miR-224-5p can be transferred from SW620 cells to CCD 841 CoN cells via exosomes. SW620 cell-derived exosomes overexpressing miR-224-5p markedly promoted proliferation, migration and invasion of CCD 841 CoN cells. Meanwhile, SW620 cell-derived exosomal miR-224-5p notably decreased the expression of CMTM4 in CCD 841 CoN cells. Furthermore, SW620 cell-derived exosomal miR-224-5p significantly inhibited tumor growth in a xenograft model in vivo.
Conclusion
These findings suggested that SW620 cell-derived exosomal miR-224-5p could promote malignant transformation and tumorigenesis in vitro and in vivo via downregulation of CMTM4, suggesting that miR-224-5p might be a potential target for therapies in CRC.