Tumor-derived exosomal miR-181a-5p activates hepatic stellate cells to promote liver metastasis of colorectal cancer

A previous study suggested that the expression of miR181a-5p was higher in CRC tissues, but whether CRC cell-derived exosomes regulate the activation of HSCs through secreting miR181a-5p and promoting CRLM warrants further investigation. We compared the miRNA expression profiles between exosomes from highly metastatic CRC cells (RKO and SW620) and those from weakly-metastatic CRC cells (HT29 and SW480). The Agilent Human miRNA Microarray Kit, Release 21.0, 8x60K (DesignID: 070156) experiment and data analysis were performed in exosomes from two highly metastatic CRC cells (RKO and SW620) and two weakly-metastatic CRC cells (HT29 and SW480). The microarray contains 2570 probes for mature miRNA. Three independent experiments were performed.