Current Understanding of Exosomal MicroRNAs in Glioma Immune Regulation and Therapeutic Responses

Abstract

Exosomes, the small extracellular vesicles, are released by multiple cell types, including tumor cells, and represent a novel avenue for intercellular communication via transferring diverse biomolecules. Recently, microRNAs (miRNAs) were demonstrated to be enclosed in exosomes and therefore was protected from degradation. Such exosomal miRNAs can be transmitted to recipient cells where they could regulate multiple cancer-associated biological processes. Accumulative evidence suggests that exosomal miRNAs serve essential roles in modifying the glioma immune microenvironment and potentially affecting the malignant behaviors and therapeutic responses. As exosomal miRNAs are detectable in almost all kinds of biofluids and correlated with clinicopathological characteristics of glioma, they might be served as promising biomarkers for gliomas. We reviewed the novel findings regarding the biological functions of exosomal miRNAs during glioma pathogenesis and immune regulation. Furthermore, we elaborated on their potential clinical applications as biomarkers in glioma diagnosis, prognosis and treatment response prediction. Finally, we summarized the accessible databases that can be employed for exosome-associated miRNAs identification and functional exploration of cancers, including glioma.

Keywords: biomarker; exosomes; glioma; microRNAs; therapeutic response.

Figure 1

The underlying molecular mechanisms of exosomal miRNAs in modulating the progression of gliomas. In the glioma environment, exosomal miRNAs are absorbed by recipient cells and subsequently exert their functions in varieties of biological processes including proliferation, migration/invasion, angiogenesis, treatment resistance, immunosuppression, etc.