A comprehensive cancer-associated microRNA expression profiling and proteomic analysis of human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cell derived exosomes.

Abstract Background The mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have enormous therapeutic potential owing to their multi-lineage differentiation and self-renewal properties. MSCs express growth factors, cytokines, chemokines, and non-coding regulatory RNAs with immunosuppressive, anti-tumor, and migratory properties. MSCs also release several anti-cancer molecules via extracellular vesicles, that act as pro-apoptotic/tumor suppressor factors. This study aimed to identify the stem cell-derived secretome that could exhibit anti-cancer properties through molecular profiling of cargos in MSC-derived exosomes. Methods Human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells (hUCMSCs) were isolated from umbilical cord tissues and cultured expanded. After that, exosomes were isolated from the hUCMSC conditioned medium. The miRNA profiling of hUCMSCs and hUCMSC-derived exosomes was performed, followed by functional enrichment analysis. Results The miRNA expression profile and gene ontology (GO) depicts the differential expression patterns of high and less-expressed miRNAs that are delineated to be involved in the regulation of the apoptosis process. The LCMS/MS data and GO analysis indicate that hUCMSC secretomes are involved in several oncogenic and inflammatory signaling cascades. Conclusion Primary human MSCs releases miRNAs and growth factors via exosomes that are increasingly implicated in intercellular communications, and hUCMSC-exosomal miRNAs may have a critical influence in regulating cell death and apoptosis of cancer cells.