exosome, microRNA, cancer, Molecular Biology

Development of cancer treatments using Molecular Biology biology approaches

Exosomes are membrane vesicles with a diameter of 50-100 nm surrounded by a lipid bilayer membrane, and contain microRNA (miRNA). They are secreted from most cells and taken up by various cells. In cells that have taken up exosome miRNA, the expression of certain genes is suppressed, and the properties of the cell change. This intercellular communication is also involved in the metastasis and progression of cancer.
 

Our research aims to achieve the following three goals:

1. We will search for specific miRNAs in exosomes secreted by cancer cells and identify miRNAs involved in cancer proliferation and metastasis.
2. By incorporating luciferase or the fluorescent protein mCherry into exosomes secreted from cancer cells, the distribution and dynamics of exosomes can be visualized in vivo, which will help elucidate the effectiveness of cancer treatment and cancer recurrence.
3. By incorporating miRNA decoys into exosomes, which complementarily bind to miRNAs involved in cancer recurrence and suppress their activity, this will be useful in developing cancer treatments.

Discovery of miRNAs involved in cancer recurrence

Possessing a variety of tools and know-how that are useful for research on exosome-derived miRNA

• Measures to prevent recurrence are an issue in interventional radiology (IVR), including radiofrequency ablation (RFA). The miRNA discovered in this study may be applied to develop a new cancer treatment that can prevent recurrence.
• Although the distribution and dynamics of exosomes in the body remain largely unknown, the use of visualized exosomes developed in this study will lead to the resolution of this issue.

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