Characterization of Exosomes from Melanoma Cells
Abstract
Melanoma is a specific type of skin cancer associated with the melanocytes developing into malignancy. Melanocytes produce a pigment that provides protection from the sun’s ultraviolet radiation. Melanocytes produce this pigment when ultraviolet radiation hits the skin, causing damage to the epidermis. When the epidermis is damaged, it triggers a signal to produce melanin to protect against ultraviolet radiation. However, too much exposure can cause DNA damage within the epidermis, especially within melanocytes, leading to the inhibition of regulated mitosis. Hence, non-regulated mitosis can lead to excessive melanocyte production, which may result in melanoma. Exosomes are vesicles generated by all nucleated cells and secreted in the extracellular space; they carry nucleic acids, proteins, lipids, and other essential biomolecules. Such biomolecules participate in short and long-distance intercellular communication and can change the physiology of target cells. In the case of melanoma and other cancers, exosomes can carry carcinogenic nucleic acids and proteins facilitating tumor cell proliferation. This is important as exosomes can provide biomarker-type information to facilitate the diagnosis of melanoma. By using exosomes, one can develop an advanced technique when it comes to the detection of malignant melanocytes. This study explores how to use melanoma cells WM-1366, WM-266-4 and A375, to purify and characterize melanoma exosomes. This characterization may provide information on the potential drivers of tumor progression that originate from cell-cell communication. Characterization of melanoma exosomes can also allow one to study approaches that may prevent melanoma cells from progressing toward metastasis.
Faculty Sponsors
Dr. Vladimir Beljanski
Project Type
Event
Location
Alvin Sherman Library
Start Date
4-3-2024 12:30 PM
End Date
4-4-2024 1:30 PM
Characterization of Exosomes from Melanoma Cells
Alvin Sherman Library
Melanoma is a specific type of skin cancer associated with the melanocytes developing into malignancy. Melanocytes produce a pigment that provides protection from the sun’s ultraviolet radiation. Melanocytes produce this pigment when ultraviolet radiation hits the skin, causing damage to the epidermis. When the epidermis is damaged, it triggers a signal to produce melanin to protect against ultraviolet radiation. However, too much exposure can cause DNA damage within the epidermis, especially within melanocytes, leading to the inhibition of regulated mitosis. Hence, non-regulated mitosis can lead to excessive melanocyte production, which may result in melanoma. Exosomes are vesicles generated by all nucleated cells and secreted in the extracellular space; they carry nucleic acids, proteins, lipids, and other essential biomolecules. Such biomolecules participate in short and long-distance intercellular communication and can change the physiology of target cells. In the case of melanoma and other cancers, exosomes can carry carcinogenic nucleic acids and proteins facilitating tumor cell proliferation. This is important as exosomes can provide biomarker-type information to facilitate the diagnosis of melanoma. By using exosomes, one can develop an advanced technique when it comes to the detection of malignant melanocytes. This study explores how to use melanoma cells WM-1366, WM-266-4 and A375, to purify and characterize melanoma exosomes. This characterization may provide information on the potential drivers of tumor progression that originate from cell-cell communication. Characterization of melanoma exosomes can also allow one to study approaches that may prevent melanoma cells from progressing toward metastasis.
