Cancer-secreted exosomal miR-21-5p induces angiogenesis and vascular permeability by targeting KRIT1

Cell Death Dis. 2021 Jun 4;12(6):576. doi: 10.1038/s41419-021-03803-8.

Abstract

Cancer-secreted exosomes are critical mediators of cancer-host crosstalk. In the present study, we showed the delivery of miR-21-5p from colorectal cancer (CRC) cells to endothelial cells via exosomes increased the amount of miR-21-5p in recipient cells. MiR-21-5p suppressed Krev interaction trapped protein 1 (KRIT1) in recipient HUVECs and subsequently activated β-catenin signaling pathway and increased their downstream targets VEGFa and Ccnd1, which consequently promoted angiogenesis and vascular permeability in CRC. A strong inverse correlation between miR-21-5p and KRIT1 expression levels was observed in CRC-adjacent vessels. Furthermore, miR-21-5p expression in circulating exosomes was markedly higher in CRC patients than in healthy donors. Thus, our data suggest that exosomal miR-21-5p is involved in angiogenesis and vascular permeability in CRC and may be used as a potential new therapeutic target.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Capillary Permeability
  • Cell Movement / physiology
  • Cell Proliferation / physiology
  • Chick Embryo
  • Colorectal Neoplasms / blood supply*
  • Colorectal Neoplasms / genetics
  • Colorectal Neoplasms / metabolism
  • Exosomes / genetics
  • Exosomes / metabolism
  • HCT116 Cells
  • HT29 Cells
  • Heterografts
  • Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells
  • Humans
  • KRIT1 Protein / genetics
  • KRIT1 Protein / metabolism*
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred BALB C
  • Mice, Nude
  • MicroRNAs / genetics
  • MicroRNAs / metabolism*
  • Neovascularization, Pathologic / genetics
  • Neovascularization, Pathologic / metabolism
  • Tumor Microenvironment

Substances

  • KRIT1 Protein
  • KRIT1 protein, human
  • MIRN21 microRNA, human
  • MicroRNAs