Bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells-derived exosomes deliver microRNA-142-3p to disturb glioma progression by down-regulating GFI1.

Objective: The mechanism of glioma development has been extensively explored and comprehension of the exosomal microRNA-142-3p/growth factor independent-1 (miR-142-3p/GFI1) axis in glioma is still at an initial stage. Therein, the conducted work goes toward ascertaining the role of the bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells-derived exosomes (BMSCs-Exos)/miR-142-3p/GFI1 axis in glioma development.

Methods: Cancer tissues from patients with glioma and normal brain tissues from those who underwent surgery for traumatic brain injury were collected. miR-142-3p and GFI1 expression in tissues and cells were measured. Exos derived from BMSCs carrying miR-142-3p were cocultured with glioma cells to observe the effects of exosomal miR-142-3p on glioma cell invasion, migration, and apoptosis. The targeting relationship of miR-142-3p and GFI1 was validated. A series of rescue assays were conducted to further investigate whether GFI1 is implicated in the exosomal miR-142-3p-mediated regulation of glioma cell invasion, migration, and apoptosis.

Results: miR-142-3p was low-expressed in glioma tissues and cells, and the low expression had an association with unwanted prognosis. Exos-shuttled miR-142-3p suppressed the migration and invasion, while promoting apoptosis of glioma cells. Further investigation revealed that GFI1 was a direct target of miR-142-3p, and re-expression of GFI1 neutralized the inhibitory effects of exosomal miR-142-3p.

Conclusion: Exosomal miR-142-3p suppressed glioma cell migration and invasion and stimulated apoptosis by targeting GFI1.