Horizontal Transfer of miR-643 from Cisplatin-Resistant Cells Confers Chemoresistance to Recipient Drug-Sensitive Cells by Targeting APOL6.

Acquisition of resistance to cisplatin is a major impediment to the success of cisplatin-based combination therapies for cancer. Recent studies indicate that exosomal miRNAs derived from drug-resistant tumour cells can confer resistance properties to recipient cells by a horizontal transfer mechanism. Although the role of horizontal transfer of a few miRNAs has been described, little is known about the concerted action of horizontal transfer of miRNAs in conferring cisplatin resistance.

Horizontal transfer of miR-23a from hypoxic tumor cell colonies can induce angiogenesis.

Neo vessel formation by angiogenesis is an important event during many pathological conditions including cancer, where it is indispensable for tumor growth and survival. Although, various pro-angiogenic cytokines and soluble factors, secreted by tumor cells, have been reported to promote angiogenesis, recent studies have shown regulatory role of exosomes, secreted by tumor cells in the process of angiogenesis. These exosomes are capable of carrying nucleic acids, proteins, etc.