BM mesenchymal stromal cell-derived exosomes facilitate multiple myeloma progression

J Clin Invest. 2013 Apr;123(4):1542-55. doi: 10.1172/JCI66517.

Abstract

BM mesenchymal stromal cells (BM-MSCs) support multiple myeloma (MM) cell growth, but little is known about the putative mechanisms by which the BM microenvironment plays an oncogenic role in this disease. Cell-cell communication is mediated by exosomes. In this study, we showed that MM BM-MSCs release exosomes that are transferred to MM cells, thereby resulting in modulation of tumor growth in vivo. Exosomal microRNA (miR) content differed between MM and normal BM-MSCs, with a lower content of the tumor suppressor miR-15a. In addition, MM BM-MSC-derived exosomes had higher levels of oncogenic proteins, cytokines, and adhesion molecules compared with exosomes from the cells of origin. Importantly, whereas MM BM-MSC-derived exosomes promoted MM tumor growth, normal BM-MSC exosomes inhibited the growth of MM cells. In summary, these in vitro and in vivo studies demonstrated that exosome transfer from BM-MSCs to clonal plasma cells represents a previously undescribed and unique mechanism that highlights the contribution of BM-MSCs to MM disease progression.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Animals
  • Bone Marrow Neoplasms / metabolism
  • Bone Marrow Neoplasms / secondary*
  • Cell Movement
  • Cell Proliferation
  • Culture Media, Conditioned
  • Disease Progression
  • Exosomes / metabolism
  • Exosomes / physiology*
  • Female
  • Femur / pathology
  • Humans
  • Mesenchymal Stem Cell Transplantation
  • Mesenchymal Stem Cells / metabolism*
  • Mesenchymal Stem Cells / physiology
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Mice, SCID
  • MicroRNAs / genetics
  • MicroRNAs / metabolism
  • Middle Aged
  • Multiple Myeloma / metabolism
  • Multiple Myeloma / pathology*
  • Neoplasm Transplantation
  • Tissue Scaffolds
  • Tumor Burden
  • Tumor Cells, Cultured

Substances

  • Culture Media, Conditioned
  • MIRN15 microRNA, human
  • MicroRNAs

Associated data

  • GEO/GSE39571