In vivo imaging of long-term accumulation of cancer-derived exosomes using a BRET-based reporter

Sci Rep. 2020 Oct 6;10(1):16616. doi: 10.1038/s41598-020-73580-5.

Abstract

Monitoring of exosome dynamics in living organisms is essential to demonstrate the real functions of cancer-derived exosomes. Currently, these have been elucidated in vitro or under non-physiological conditions in vivo in most cases. To overcome these limitations, we developed an imaging method using Antares2-mediated bioluminescence resonance energy transfer (BRET) for observing long-term accumulation of exosomes in vivo. Ectopic expression of CD63-Antares2 effectively labeled exosomes with Antares2, which emitted intense, long-wavelength luminescence suitable for in vivo monitoring. Transplantation of CD63-Antares2-expressing prostate cancer cells into mice allowed determining the amount of cancer-derived exosomes released from primary tumors into the bloodstream and visualizing the long-term homing behavior of exosomes to their target organs or tissues. Interestingly, secreted exosome was decreased upon administration of low dose of dasatinib, an approved tyrosine-kinase inhibitor. The CD63-Antares2 xenograft mouse model will be useful for elucidating the dynamics of cancer-derived exosomes in vivo and evaluating the therapeutic efficacy and mechanism of exosome production inhibitors.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Bioluminescence Resonance Energy Transfer Techniques / methods*
  • Dasatinib / pharmacology
  • Energy Transfer*
  • Exosomes / metabolism*
  • Heterografts
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Molecular Imaging / methods*
  • Neoplasm Transplantation
  • Prostatic Neoplasms / metabolism*
  • Prostatic Neoplasms / pathology*
  • Protein Kinase Inhibitors / pharmacology
  • Time Factors

Substances

  • Protein Kinase Inhibitors
  • Dasatinib