The Potential of Exosomes Derived from Chronic Myelogenous Leukaemia Cells as a Biomarker

Anticancer Res. 2018 Jul;38(7):3935-3942. doi: 10.21873/anticanres.12679.

Abstract

Background/aim: Exosomes, derived from chronic myelogenous leukaemia (CML) cells, can be used as biomarkers and new targets for the detection of the BCR-ABL transcript. This study aimed to identify these possibilities.

Materials and methods: Human CML cell line-derived exosomes and CML-patients-derived exosomes were isolated with a size-exclusion chromatography column and ExoQuick™ exosome precipitation solution, respectively. Isolated exosomes were analysed by nested PCR to detect the BCR-ABL transcript.

Results: Exosomes derived from the two human CML cell lines yielded a 250-bp band. RNA sequence analysis revealed 99% sequence homology with the partial mRNA for the human BCR-ABL chimeric protein. This ~250-bp band was also observed in the exosomes derived from patients with CML. However, only patients at the blast and accelerated phases showed the exosomal BCR-ABL transcript.

Conclusion: CML-derived exosomes could act as novel targets for the detection of the BCR-ABL transcript.

Keywords: BCR-ABL; Chronic myelogenous leukaemia; biomarker; exosome.

MeSH terms

  • Biomarkers, Tumor / metabolism*
  • Blotting, Western
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Exosomes*
  • Genes, abl
  • Humans
  • Leukemia, Myelogenous, Chronic, BCR-ABL Positive / metabolism*
  • Leukemia, Myelogenous, Chronic, BCR-ABL Positive / pathology
  • Microscopy, Electron, Transmission
  • Polymerase Chain Reaction
  • RNA, Messenger / genetics

Substances

  • Biomarkers, Tumor
  • RNA, Messenger