Cancer-associated fibroblasts as facilitators in nasopharyngeal carcinoma progression via exosomal MMP13.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs), essential components of the tumor microenvironment (TME), contribute to tumor formation. Our previous research demonstrated that exosomes containing matrix metalloproteinase 13 (MMP13) accelerate metastasis in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). This study aimed to determine whether exosomes containing MMP13 promote NPC development by stimulating the differentiation of normal fibroblasts (NFs) into CAFs.

Methods

The presence of CAFs in NPC was identified through immunohistochemistry (IHC) analysis. NPC cells activated NFs into CAFs, according to the co-culture cell model. Exosomes were characterized by Western blot and electron microscopy analysis. NFs were treated with exosomes, and Western blot, migration, and 5-ethynyl-2'-deoxy

SUBMITTER: Xiao H 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12554465 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature