Pancreatic cancer exosomes initiate pre-metastatic niche formation in the liver

Nat Cell Biol. 2015 Jun;17(6):816-26. doi: 10.1038/ncb3169. Epub 2015 May 18.

Abstract

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinomas (PDACs) are highly metastatic with poor prognosis, mainly due to delayed detection. We hypothesized that intercellular communication is critical for metastatic progression. Here, we show that PDAC-derived exosomes induce liver pre-metastatic niche formation in naive mice and consequently increase liver metastatic burden. Uptake of PDAC-derived exosomes by Kupffer cells caused transforming growth factor β secretion and upregulation of fibronectin production by hepatic stellate cells. This fibrotic microenvironment enhanced recruitment of bone marrow-derived macrophages. We found that macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) was highly expressed in PDAC-derived exosomes, and its blockade prevented liver pre-metastatic niche formation and metastasis. Compared with patients whose pancreatic tumours did not progress, MIF was markedly higher in exosomes from stage I PDAC patients who later developed liver metastasis. These findings suggest that exosomal MIF primes the liver for metastasis and may be a prognostic marker for the development of PDAC liver metastasis.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Base Sequence
  • Bone Marrow Cells / immunology
  • Carcinoma, Pancreatic Ductal / pathology*
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Cell Movement
  • Exosomes / metabolism*
  • Female
  • Fibronectins / biosynthesis
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic
  • Hepatic Stellate Cells / pathology
  • Humans
  • Liver / cytology
  • Liver / pathology
  • Liver Neoplasms / genetics
  • Liver Neoplasms / pathology*
  • Liver Neoplasms / secondary
  • Macrophage Migration-Inhibitory Factors / biosynthesis*
  • Macrophages / immunology
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Mice, Knockout
  • Pancreatic Neoplasms / pathology*
  • Precancerous Conditions / pathology
  • RNA Interference
  • RNA, Small Interfering
  • Sequence Analysis, RNA
  • Signal Transduction
  • Transforming Growth Factor beta / metabolism

Substances

  • Fibronectins
  • Macrophage Migration-Inhibitory Factors
  • RNA, Small Interfering
  • Transforming Growth Factor beta

Associated data

  • GEO/GSE66876