Movement of Mitochondria with Mutant DNA through Extracellular Vesicles Helps Cancer Cells Acquire Chemoresistance. (9th December 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Abad, Etna; Lyakhovich, Alex
• Is Part Of: ChemMedChem. Volume 17:Number 4(2022)
• Page Start: n/a
• Page End: n/a
• Publication Date: 2021-12-09
• Subjects: mitochondrial horizontal transfer -- extracellular vesicles -- tunnelling nanotubes -- exosomes -- acquired chemoresistance; Pharmaceutical chemistry -- Periodicals; 615.19005
• DOI: 10.1002/cmdc.202100642
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1860-7179

Abstract

Abstract: Triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) is one of the most aggressive subtypes of breast cancer with the worst prognosis after chemo‐ or radiation therapy. This is mainly due to the development of cancer chemoresistance accompanied by tumor recurrence. In this work, we investigated a new mechanism of acquired chemoresistance of TNBC cells. We showed that extracellular vehicles (EVs) of chemoresistant TNBC cells can transfer mitochondria to sensitive cancer cells, thus increasing their chemoresistance. Such transfer, but with less efficiency, can be carried out over short distances using tunneling nanotubes. In addition, we showed that exosome fractions carrying mitochondria from resistant TNBC cells contribute to acquired chemoresistance by increasing mtDNA levels with mutations in the mtND4 gene responsible for tumorigenesis. Blocking mitochondrial transport by exosome inhibitors, including GW4869, reduced acquired TNBC chemoresistance. These results could lead to the identification of new molecular targets necessary for more effective treatment of this type of cancer. Abstract : Parallel mitochondrial transfer can be manifested in rapidly dividing cancer cells, and mutations in the corresponding mitochondrial genes can contribute to cancer cell resistance to chemotherapy. We investigated spontaneous heterocellular mitochondrial exchange in chemoresistant and sensitive triple‐negative breast cancer (TNBC) cells mediated by extracellular membrane vesicles (EV). We demonstrated that fractions of EV with exosomal markers transfer the mitochondria of chemoresistant TNBC cells to sensitive cancer cells, resulting in the latter becoming partially chemoresistant. Our results suggest complementary possibilities of suppressing resistant cancers through selection of appropriate small molecules that inhibit formation of exosomes.