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Brain Tumor Microvesicles: Insights into Intercellular Communication in the Nervous System

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Abstract

Brain tumors are heterogeneous tumors composed of differentiated tumor cells that resemble various neural cells and a small number of multipotent cancer stem cells. These tumors modify normal cells in their environment to promote tumor growth, invasion and metastases by various ways. Recent publications show that glioblastoma cells release microvesicles that contain a select subset of cellular proteins and RNAs. These microvesicles are avidly taken up by normal cells in cell culture and can change the translational profile of these cells through delivery of tumor-derived mRNAs, which are translated into functional proteins. In addition to mRNA and proteins, microvesicles have been shown to contain microRNAs, non-coding RNAs and DNA. This commentary explores the recent advances in this novel intercellular communication route and discusses the potential physiological role of microvesicles in brain tumorigenesis.

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Acknowledgments

This commentary is written in deep appreciation of the inspiring mentorship of Dr. Marshall Nirenberg. The authors have tried to include exciting new scientific ideas, which he always relished. The authors would like to thank Ms. Suzanne McDavitt for skilled editorial assistance and Drs. Charles Lai and David Corey for contributing figures. The Breakefield laboratory is funded by NINDS and NCI. Dr. Skog has a grant from the American Brain Tumor Association (ABTA).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Neurology, Boston, MA, USA

    Kristan E. van der Vos, Leonora Balaj, Johan Skog & Xandra O. Breakefield

  2. Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA

    Kristan E. van der Vos, Leonora Balaj, Johan Skog & Xandra O. Breakefield

  3. Neuroscience Program, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02114, USA

    Kristan E. van der Vos, Leonora Balaj, Johan Skog & Xandra O. Breakefield

  4. Exosome Diagnostics, Inc, New York, NY, 10032, USA

    Johan Skog

  5. Molecular Neurogenetics Unit, Massachusetts General Hospital-East, 13th Street, Building 149, Charlestown, MA, 02129, USA

    Xandra O. Breakefield

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  1. Kristan E. van der Vos
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  2. Leonora Balaj
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  4. Xandra O. Breakefield
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Correspondence to Xandra O. Breakefield.

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van der Vos, K.E., Balaj, L., Skog, J. et al. Brain Tumor Microvesicles: Insights into Intercellular Communication in the Nervous System. Cell Mol Neurobiol 31, 949–959 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10571-011-9697-y

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