Open AccessExosomal zinc transporter ZIP4 promotes cancer growth and is a novel diagnostic biomarker for pancreatic cancer
Author(s) -
Jin Haoyi,
Liu Peng,
Wu Yunhao,
Meng Xiangli,
Wu Mengwei,
Han Jiahong,
Tan Xiaodong
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
cancer science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.035
H-Index - 141
eISSN - 1349-7006
pISSN - 1347-9032
DOI - 10.1111/cas.13737
Subject(s) - pancreatic cancer , microvesicles , biomarker , cancer , cancer research , exosome , medicine , pancreatic disease , pathology , pancreas , biology , microrna , biochemistry , gene
Pancreatic cancer is one of the deadliest cancers with rapid disease progression. Further elucidation of its underlying molecular mechanisms and novel biomarkers for early detection is necessary. Exosomes are small extracellular vesicles that are released by multiple cell types acting as message carriers during intercellular communication and are promising biomarker candidates. However, the role of pancreatic cancer cell‐derived exosomes in cancer progression and the application of these vesicles as novel diagnostic biomarkers have not been fully studied. In this study, we found that PC‐1.0 (a highly malignant pancreatic cell line) cell‐derived exosomes could be taken up by and enhance PC‐1 (a moderately malignant pancreatic cell line) cell proliferation, migration and invasion abilities. We identified ZIP4 as the most upregulated exosomal protein in PC‐1.0 cells from our proteomic analysis. In vitro and in vivo (a subcutaneous BALB/c nude mouse model) studies showed that exosomal ZIP4 can significantly promote pancreatic cancer growth. Using clinical blood samples, we compared the diagnostic values of serum exosomal ZIP4 levels between malignant pancreatic cancer patients (n = 24) and benign pancreatic disease patients (n = 32, AUC = .89), and between biliary disease patients (n = 32, AUC = .8112) and healthy controls (n = 46, AUC = .8931). In conclusion, exosomal ZIP4 promotes cancer growth and is a novel diagnostic biomarker for pancreatic cancer.