Scientists reveal the effect of tumor exosomes on NK cells in tumor immunotherapy

Tumor-derived exosomes (TDEs) play an important role in multiple aspects of cancer biology, and many studies have clearly shown that TDES can also promote tumor growth by negatively affecting anti-tumor immunity

Based on this theory, in vitro expansion of NK cells/NK cell lines, such as NK 92 cells, has received extensive attention and research as a promising approach for cancer immunotherapy

Image credit: https://doi.

Recently, researchers from the Faculty of Medicine of the Medical University of Isfahan published a review article entitled "Cancer exosomes and natural killer cells dysfunction: biological roles, clinical significance and implications for immunotherapy" in the journal Molecular Cancer, on the role of TDEs in tumor induction.

Uptake/interaction of TDEs with NK cells

Tumor-derived exosomes (TDEs) can be taken up by various cells through plasma membrane fusion, endocytosis, phagocytosis, micropinocytosis, and lipid raft-mediated internalization, and preferentially by immune cells

Immune synapses between tumor-derived exosomes and NK cells

Tumor cells release a large number of immunosuppressive exosomes into the tumor microenvironment and circulation, where they interact with NK cells and deliver their inhibitory contents to NK cells

Immune synapses between tumor-derived exosomes and NK cells

Image credit: https://doi.

Taken together, an in-depth understanding of the pathological roles and mechanisms of TDE-mediated NK cell dysfunction will enable us to further improve the therapeutic potential of NK cells

references:

Reza Hosseini et al.