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Review
. 2021 Feb 22;10(1):1887552.
doi: 10.1080/2162402X.2021.1887552.

Exosome-mediated communication between tumor cells and tumor-associated macrophages: implications for tumor microenvironment

Chen Han  1   2 , Cong Zhang  1 , Hengxiao Wang  2 , Lianmei Zhao  1
Affiliations
Review

Exosome-mediated communication between tumor cells and tumor-associated macrophages: implications for tumor microenvironment

Chen Han et al. Oncoimmunology. .

Abstract

Exosomes are extracellular vesicles released from numerous types of cells that are involved in multiple tumors development. Exosomes contribute to the modulation of tumor microenvironment (TME) through intercellular communication. As essential immune stromal cells in the TME, tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) participate in tumor development by mediating angiogenesis, metastasis, chemoresistance, and immune escape. Due to communication with multiple cells in the TME, they exhibit plasticity and heterogeneity during the progress of polarization from monocytes to macrophages. Previous studies suggest that targeting TAMs is a promising therapeutic strategy; however, the detailed mechanism by which TAMs regulate tumor development still remains unclear. In this review, we provide an overview of the roles of exosomes as messengers in the communication between tumor cells and polarization of TAMs; we also describe the effects of their interaction on tumor development. Finally, we comprehensively discussed the potential application of exosomes as the promising tumor immunotherapy strategy.

Keywords: Exosomes; cellular communication; polarization; tumor-associated macrophages.

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Figures

Figure 1.
Figure 1.
Tumor-derived exosomes modulate macrophage polarization
Figure 2.
Figure 2.
TAM-derived exosomes modulate tumor progression
Figure 3.
Figure 3.
Overview of exosomes in the communication between tumor cells and TAMs in the tumor microenvironment (TME)
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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