Environmental pH stress influences cellular secretion and uptake of extracellular vesicles. Issue 3 (18th February 2021) - Nakase, Ikuhiko
Abstract : Exosomes (extracellular vesicles/EVs) participate in cell–cell communication and contain bioactive molecules, such as microRNAs. However, the detailed characteristics of secreted EVs produced by cells grown under low pH conditions are still unknown. Here, we report that low pH in the cell culture medium significantly affected the secretion of EVs with increased protein content and zeta potential. The intracellular expression level and location of stably expressed GFP‐fused CD63 (an EV tetraspanin) in HeLa cells were also significantly affected by environmental pH. In addition, increased cellular uptake of EVs was observed. Moreover, the uptake rate was influenced by the presence of serum in the cell culture medium. Our findings contribute to our understanding of the effect of environmental conditions on EV‐based cell–cell communication. Abstract : Extracellular vesicles (EVs) participate in cell–cell communication. Here, we report that pH stress significantly affected the secretion of EVs with increased protein content and zeta potential. In addition, increased cellular uptake of EVs, which were secreted under conditions of pH stress, was observed. Our findings contribute to our understanding of the effect of environmental conditions on EV‐based cell–cell communication.