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Figure 3 | Molecular Cancer

Figure 3

From: Microvesicles secreted by macrophages shuttle invasion-potentiating microRNAs into breast cancer cells

Figure 3

Exosomes secreted from macrophages shuttle miR-223 to breast cancer cells. (A) Exosomes secreted from unactivated and IL-4-activated macrophages were collected and observed with an electron microscope. Exosomes derived from unactivated macrophages (un-Mac-origin) were larger in size (100-250 nm) than those derived from IL-4-activated macrophages (IL-4-Mac-origin) (50-80 nm). Scale bars are as indicated. (B) The diameter of exosomes derived from unactivated and IL-4-activated macrophages were quantified. Data are averages of more than 10 exosomes from each group. (C) Levels of miR-223 expression in exosomes were quantified by qRT-PCR. ** p < 0.01. (D) and (E) Exosomes derived from IL-4-activated macrophages were more readily internalised by breast cancer cells. Exosomes derived from unactivated and IL-4-activated macrophages were labeled with CM-Dil and incubated with SKBR3 cells for the indicated times (0-40 h). Uptake of exosomes by cancer cells was visualized by confocal microscopy (representative images are shown in (E) and quantified by flow cytometry in (D)). (Un-Mac, unactivated macrophages; IL4-Mac, IL-4-activated macrophages).

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