Epigenetic transfer of metastatic activity by uptake of highly metastatic B16 melanoma cell-released exosomes.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate potential role of highly metastatic BL6-10 tumor cell-released exosomes (EXO) in transfer of metastatic activity into poorly metastatic tumor cell line F1.


METHODS
The highly metastatic B16 melanoma cell line (BL6-10) was generated in our laboratory. EXO from this cell line were isolated and amount of exosomal recovered proteins was measured using Bradford assay. For phenotypic analysis BL6-10 and F1 melanoma cells were stained with FITC-conjugated anti-MHC I (H-2K(b)), MHC II (Ia(b)) and Met 72 antibodies and analyzed by flow cytometry. C57BL/6 mice (8 per group) were injected (i. v.) with 0.5 x 10(6) F1, BL6-10 and F1(EXO) melanoma cells. Lungs were removed 4 weeks after tumor cell injection, fixed in 10% neutral buffered formaldehyde and embedded in paraffin for histological analysis.


RESULTS
Data revealed that BL6-10 cells expressed metastasis marker (Met 72 tumor antigen), while F1 cells did not display this cell surface marker. All mice inoculated with BL6-10 melanoma cells had numerous lung tumor colonies, while mice injected with F1 tumor cells were free of lung metastatic colonies. BL6-10 tumor cells-released EXO also expressed Met 72 tumor antigen as BL6-10 tumor cells, but in less amount. F1 tumor cells can uptake EXO from BL6-10 tumor cells and express acquired exosomal Met 72 tumor antigen.


CONCLUSIONS
The metastatic activity of highly metastatic BL6-10 tumor cells can be transferred to poorly metastatic F1 tumor cells by uptake of highly metastatic BL6-10 tumor-released EXO.
Hao
S
S
Research Unit, Division of Health Research, Saskatchewan Cancer Agency, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada. jxiang@scf.sk.ca.
Ye
Z
Z
Li
F
F
Meng
Q
Q
Qureshi
M
M
Yang
J
J
Xiang
J
J
D000818:Animals; D000951:Antigens, Neoplasm / Q000032:analysis; D022162:Cytoplasmic Vesicles / Q000637:transplantation*; D044127:Epigenesis, Genetic; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000556:secondary*; D008546:Melanoma, Experimental / Q000473:pathology*; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology*
D000951:Antigens, Neoplasm