Exosome-mediated microRNA-497 delivery for anti-cancer therapy in a microfluidic 3D lung cancer model

Lab Chip. 2020 Feb 7;20(3):548-557. doi: 10.1039/c9lc00958b. Epub 2020 Jan 16.

Abstract

Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is one of the leading causes of death from cancer worldwide. The delivery and controlled regulation of miRNAs via exosomes is known as a potential therapeutic approach in the treatment of cancer. In this study, human cell-derived exosomes were used as delivery vehicles for miRNAs, and we investigated their anti-tumor and anti-angiogenic effects on NSCLCs that were cultured in 2D and 3D microfluidic devices. We demonstrated that exosomes that contained miRNA-497 (miR-497) effectively suppressed tumor growth and the expression of their associated genes, i.e., yes-associated protein 1 (YAP1), hepatoma-derived growth factor (HDGF), cyclin E1 (CCNE1), and vascular endothelial growth factor-A (VEGF-A), in A549 cells. Also, the level of VEGF-A-mediated angiogenic sprouting was decreased drastically in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) cultured in a microfluidic device. To mimic the in vivo-like tumor microenvironment of NSCLC, A549 cells were co-cultured with HUVECs in a single device, and miR-497-loaded exosomes were delivered to both types of cells. As a result, both the tube formation of endothelial cells and the migration of tumor decreased dramatically compared to the control. This indicated that miR-497 has synergistic inhibitory effects that target tumor growth and angiogenesis, so exosome-mediated miRNA therapeutics combined with the microfluidic technology could be a predictive, cost-efficient translational tool for the development of targeted cancer therapy.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • A549 Cells
  • Antineoplastic Agents / metabolism
  • Antineoplastic Agents / pharmacology*
  • Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / drug therapy*
  • Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / metabolism
  • Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / pathology
  • Cell Movement / drug effects
  • Cell Proliferation / drug effects
  • Drug Screening Assays, Antitumor
  • Exosomes / metabolism*
  • Humans
  • Lab-On-A-Chip Devices*
  • Lung Neoplasms / drug therapy*
  • Lung Neoplasms / metabolism
  • Lung Neoplasms / pathology
  • MicroRNAs / metabolism
  • MicroRNAs / pharmacology*
  • Microfluidic Analytical Techniques*

Substances

  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • MIRN497 microRNA, human
  • MicroRNAs