[Research progress on the involvement of exosome-mediated intercellular communication in the remodeling and the regulation of invasion and metastasis in the hepatocellular tumor microenvironment].

Abstract

Hepatocellular carcinoma (referred to as liver cancer) tumor microenvironment (TMEs) is a dynamic network system composed of stromal cells, such as liver cancer cells, immune cells, vascular endothelial cells, adipocytes, fibroblasts, and various cytokines that play an important role in the invasion and metastasis of liver cancer. In recent years, there has been an increasing attention on the role of exosomes in the remodeling and the regulation of invasion and metastasis in liver cancer TMEs. Exosomes, as a natural carrier, mediate intercellular communication between liver cancer cells and with other stromal cells, playing an important role in the formation of immunosuppressive TMEs, angiogenesis and hypoxia tolerance, and the coordination of heterogeneity among liver cancer cells. This review summarizes the composition of liver cancer TMEs, the biological functions of exosomes, and the role and mechanism of exosome-mediated liver cancer TMEs between liver cancer cells and other stromal cells, with a focus on exosome involvement in the remodeling and regulating invasion and metastasis in liver cancer TMEs. Simultaneously, it also introduces and explores the application of exosomes in the diagnosis and treatment of liver cancer, with the hope that in-depth research and elucidation of the mechanisms of exosome involvement in the remodeling and regulation of invasion and metastasis in liver cancer TMEs will provide feasible research ideas for novel biological markers and drug delivery carriers.