Proteins were then transferred into nitrocellulose membranes (Bio-Rad, Hercules, CA, USA), blocked in 5% BSA for 1h at room heat. exosomes exerted its effect within a shorter time compared to that induced by its endogenous manifestation. The difference of ITGA2 protein manifestation in localized tumors and those with lymph node metastatic cells was indistinguishable. However, its large quantity was higher in circulating exosomes collected from PCa individuals when compared with normal subjects. Our findings show the possible part of the exosomal-ITGA2 transfer in altering the phenotype of AR-positive cells towards more aggressive phenotype. Thus, interfering with exosomal cargo transfer may inhibit the development of aggressive phenotype in PCa cells. shuttling active biomolecules into target cells. Even though part of exosomes in promoting metastasis has been established and may be targeted to reduce metastasis [19], yet the molecular mechanisms and components of exosomal cargo are still incompletely recognized. For example, exosome-associated integrins play a pivotal part in pre-metastatic market formation and organotropic metastasis [20]. This happens by assisting metastatic dissemination through EMT and liberating autocrine and paracrine signals within the tumor microenvironment [21]. Once released into the systemic blood circulation, these exosomes prepare the pre-metastatic market to receive fresh tumor cells, where they either remain dormant or colonize to form micro- and macrometastases [19]. While PCa cells metastasize to the bone, PCa-associated osteoblasts are playing a regulatory part in promoting steroidogenesis in CRPC cells and, consequently, Elf1 maintain cell growth [22]. Thus, the idea of understanding how PCa cells become AR-independent and gain aggressive phenotypes are very significant to treat patients in the metastatic stage. Signaling pathway mediated by integrins is considered as a mechanistic driver for the progression of PCa into metastatic disease [23], where they promote aggressive phenotypes [24]. In particular, alpha 2 integrin (ITGA2) forms a heterodimer with beta 1 subunit (21) and functions like a collagen and laminin receptor [25] and is involved in the disease progression. Overexpression of ITGA2 raises cell proliferation and invasiveness of malignancy cells by activation of the PD-L1/STAT3 axis [26]. In addition, ITGA2-induced chemoresistance is definitely reversed by upregulation of miR-135b-5p, which inhibits MAPK/ERK and EMT pathways in gastric malignancy cells [27]. The manifestation of ITGA2 is definitely inhibited by silencing SNAIL in rhabdomyosarcoma RH30 cells and the overall metastatic behavior is definitely reduced [28]. However, the part of exosomes-mediated transfer of integrins from CRPC to AR-dependent cells has not been investigated. Consequently, we aimed to determine the part of exosomes-mediated transfer of ITGA2 in promoting PCa migration and invasion. We found that ITGA2 was enriched Betaine hydrochloride in exosomes of CRPC versus AR-positive PCa cells. Co-culture of C4-2B, CWR-R1ca and RC77T/E cells with Personal computer-3 derived exosomes promotes cell proliferation, migration, and invasion. To confirm the part of exosomal ITGA2, exosomal uptake was inhibited by MCD and ITGA2 knockdown where the gained aggressive behavior was reversed. ITGA2 was reconstituted in two cells, which reproduced the results produced from cocultured experiments and improved cell migration and invasion. 2. Results 2.1. Characterization of Exosomes Derived From PCa Cells Before conducting the next experiments, the size and purity of exosomes derived from condition press of PCa cells were Betaine hydrochloride evaluated. Exosomes were isolated and purified by differential ultracentrifugation and then examined for his or her size and purity as demonstrated in the offered flowchart (Number 1A). A Zeta Pals Potential Analyzer (Brookhaven Devices, Holtsville, NY, USA) was used to evaluate the size of microvesicles. The isolated exosomes from Personal computer-3 and DU145 cells were in the range of 50 to 120 nm in diameter (Number 1B). As depicted in Number 1C, immunoblot analysis showed that exosomes isolated from Personal computer-3 and DU145 cells in addition to plasma of PCa individuals and their age-matched healthy individuals indicated exosomal surface marker CD9 and CD63 but not the Betaine hydrochloride endoplasmic reticulum marker Calnexin (CLNX). Betaine hydrochloride Of notice, the related total cell lysates indicated CLNX but not exosomal markers. Open in a separate window Number 1 Isolation, characterization and manifestation of ITGA2 in exosomes derived from PCa cells. (A). Schematic representation of exosome isolation from PCa cells.