MicroRNAs in tumor exosomes drive immune escape in melanoma

V Vignard, M Labbé, N Marec, G André-Grégoire… - Cancer immunology …, 2020 - AACR
V Vignard, M Labbé, N Marec, G André-Grégoire, N Jouand, JF Fonteneau, N Labarrière…
Cancer immunology research, 2020AACR
MicroRNAs (miRNA), small noncoding RNAs that regulate gene expression, exist not only in
cells but also in a variety of body fluids. These circulating miRNAs could enable intercellular
communication. miRNAs are packaged in membrane-encapsulated vesicles, such as
exosomes, or protected by RNA-binding proteins. Here, we report that miRNAs included in
human melanoma exosomes regulate the tumor immune response. Using microscopy and
flow cytometry, we demonstrate that CD8+ T cells internalize exosomes from different tumor …
Abstract
MicroRNAs (miRNA), small noncoding RNAs that regulate gene expression, exist not only in cells but also in a variety of body fluids. These circulating miRNAs could enable intercellular communication. miRNAs are packaged in membrane-encapsulated vesicles, such as exosomes, or protected by RNA-binding proteins. Here, we report that miRNAs included in human melanoma exosomes regulate the tumor immune response. Using microscopy and flow cytometry, we demonstrate that CD8+ T cells internalize exosomes from different tumor types even if these cells do not internalize vesicles as readily as other immune cells. We explored the function of melanoma-derived exosomes in CD8+ T cells and showed that these exosomes downregulate T-cell responses through decreased T-cell receptor (TCR) signaling and diminished cytokine and granzyme B secretions. The result reduces the cells' cytotoxic activity. Using mimics, we found that miRNAs enriched in exosomes—such as Homo sapiens (hsa)-miR-3187-3p, hsa-miR-498, hsa-miR-122, hsa-miR149, and hsa-miR-181a/b—regulate TCR signaling and TNFα secretion. Our observations suggest that miRNAs in melanoma-derived exosomes aid tumor immune evasion and could be a therapeutic target.
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