Bone Marrow Mesenchymal Stem Cell (BMSC)-Derived Exosomes Increase Colon Cancer Cell Apoptosis and Inhibit Proliferation and Migration

This study aims to investigate whether bone marrow mesenchymal stem cell (BMSC) exosomes (BMSC-exos) affects the progression of colon cancer. Ultracentrifugation was used to extract and collect BMSC-exos which were assessed under electron microscope and by flow cytometry. The BMSCs were divided into two groups: control group treated with α-MEM basal medium and experimental group with exosomes (10 μg/ml). Exos were extracted from BMSCs and co-cultured with colon cancer cells, followed by analysis of cell viability by CCK-8 assay and GLUT3 mRNA and protein expression by RT-qPCR and Western blot. The electron microscope analysis indicated that the primary BMSCs showed a long spindle shape with a negative expression of antigen CD34 and positive antigen CD90. Importantly, exos inhibited the viability of colon cancer cells HCT116 and decreased the expression of GLUT3, suggesting that exos might increase the colon cancer cell apoptosis. In conclusion, BMSC-exos inhibit cell progression in colon cancer and might be served as a promising biomarker.