Comprehensive microRNA-sequencing of small extracellular vesicles from early-stage HNSCC cases and cancer-free controls with benign neoplastic conditions. Comprehensive microRNA-sequencing of small extracellular vesicles from early-stage HNSCC cases and cancer-free controls with benign neoplastic conditions

Exosomes are nano-sized (30-150 nm), membrane encapsulated vesicles that are released by cells into the extracellular space and function as intercellular signaling vectors through the horizontal transfer of biologic molecules, including microRNA (miRNA). Although secreted by both normal and malignant cells, there is evidence that cancer-derived exosomes enable the tumor to manipulate its microenvironment, contributing to the capacity of the tumor for immune evasion, growth, invasion, and metastatic spread. The purpose of this study was to apply miRNA-sequencing to exosomes isolated from conditioned culture media to comprehensively characterize miRNA secreted in exosomes from 4 distinct head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) cell lines and normal oral epithelial cells. Overall design: Case-control pilot study

外泌体（exosomes）是一类直径为30~150 nm的膜包被囊泡，由细胞释放至细胞外间隙，可通过水平转运包括微小RNA（microRNA）在内的生物分子，充当细胞间信号传递载体。尽管正常细胞与恶性肿瘤细胞均可分泌外泌体，但现有研究证实，肿瘤来源的外泌体可帮助肿瘤调控其微环境，进而促进肿瘤的免疫逃逸、增殖、侵袭与转移能力。本研究旨在对从条件培养基中分离得到的外泌体进行miRNA测序，以全面解析4株不同头颈部鳞状细胞癌（head and neck squamous cell carcinoma, HNSCC）细胞系及正常口腔上皮细胞分泌至外泌体中的miRNA表达特征。研究设计：病例对照预试验