Modulation of the inflammatory response of macrophages mediated by extracellular vesicles derived from tumor cells of epithelial carcinoma of the head and neck

• Grant number: 17/13351-7
• Support type: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Effective date (Start): September 01, 2017
• Effective date (End): December 31, 2018
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Immunology - Cellular Immunology
• Principal researcher: Karina Ramalho Bortoluci
• Grantee: Luiza Zainotti Miguel Fahur Bottino
• Home Institution: Centro de Terapia Celular e Molecular. Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP). Campus São Paulo. São Paulo , SP, Brazil

Abstract

The release of vesicles in the medium has effects on several cellular processes, especially those related to intercellular communication, since these can serve as vehicles for transfer and transformation between cells. Because of this, these vesicles have also been progressively related to the detection, level of development, diagnosis and prognosis of diseases. The vesicles derived from tumor cells (VDCT) favor the metastatic activity, migration and progression of the tumor through its incorporation by neighboring cells, which now have a malignant phenotype. Macrophages are able to incorporate the content of these vesicles, which can lead to a reprogramming of the profile and activity of the vesicles, favoring the proliferation of the tumor. The purpose of this study was to analyze the effect of vesicles derived from head and neck squamous carcinoma cells (HNSCC) on the induction and modulation of the inflammatory response mediated by macrophages and to verify a possible activation and regulation of the inflammasome, mediator of cellular death by pyroptose and the secretion of inflammatory factors, in order to elucidate the mechanisms of manipulation of the immune system and the tumor microenvironment played by these vesicles. (AU)