Dendritic cell-derived exosomes (Dex): Underlying the role of exosomes derived from diverse DC subtypes in cancer pathogenesis

Pathol Res Pract. 2024 Feb:254:155097. doi: 10.1016/j.prp.2024.155097. Epub 2024 Jan 5.

Abstract

Exosomes are nanometric membrane vesicles of late endosomal origin that are released by most, if not all, cell types as a sophisticated means of intercellular communication. They play an essential role in the movement of materials and information between cells, transport a variety of proteins, lipids, RNA, and other vital data, and over time, they become an essential part of the drug delivery system and a marker for the early detection of many diseases. Dendritic cells have generated interest in cancer immunotherapy due to their ability to initiate and modify effective immune responses. Apart from their cytokine release and direct interactions with other cell types, DCs also emit nanovesicles, such as exosomes, that contribute to their overall activity. Numerous studies have demonstrated exosomes to mediate and regulate immune responses against cancers. Dendritic cell-derived exosomes (DCs) have attracted a lot of attention as immunotherapeutic anti-cancer treatments since it was found that they contain functional MHC-peptide complexes along with a variety of other immune-stimulating components that together enable immune cell-dependent tumor rejection. By enhancing tumor and immunosuppressive immune cells or changing a pro-inflammatory milieu to inhibit tumor advancement, exosomes generated from dendritic cells can initiate and support tumor growth. This study reviewed the immunogenicity of dendritic cell-derived exosomes and strategies for expanding their immunogenic potential as novel and effective anti-cancer therapies.

Keywords: Cancer; DC; DC vaccine; Dex; Exosomes, DC-derived exosome; Immunotherapy.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Dendritic Cells
  • Exosomes* / genetics
  • Humans
  • Immunity
  • Immunotherapy
  • Neoplasms* / pathology