HIF-2α accumulation in human monocytes upon transfer of hypoxia-associated miRNAs via plasma-derived small extracellular vesicles from head and neck cancer patients.

ABSTRACT: Hypoxia is an important hallmark of the tumor microenvironment (TME) in solid tumors and is closely associated with resistance to radiotherapy and a poorer clinical outcome. Tumor-associated plasma-derived small extracellular vesicles (sEVs) have gained increasing attention as an important regulatory TME component for tumor progression and immune evasion. This study aimed to investigate the involvement of plasma-derived sEVs from head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) patients in the systemic regulation of hypoxia-related molecular pathways in circulating immune cells. Plasma-derived sEVs of healthy donors (HDs) and HNSCC patients were isolated and evaluated for morphology, size, miRNA cargo composition, and their influence on monocyte characteristics. Transfer of plasma-derived sEV

SUBMITTER: Theodoraki MN 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12833699 | biostudies-literature | 2025

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature