B7-H3 in Medulloblastoma-Derived Exosomes; A Novel Tumorigenic Role

(1) Aim: Medulloblastoma is the most common aggressive pediatric cancer of the central nervous system. Improved therapies are necessary to improve life outcomes for medulloblastoma patients. Exosomes are a subset of extracellular vesicles that are excreted outside of the cell, and can transport nucleic acids and proteins from donor cells to nearby recipient cells of the same or dissimilar tissues. Few publications exist exploring the role that exosomes play in medulloblastoma pathogenesis. In this study, we found B7-H3, an immunosuppressive immune checkpoint, present in D283 cell-derived exosomes. (2) Methods: Utilizing mass spectrometry and immunoblotting, the presence of B7-H3 in D283 control and B7-H3 overexpressing exosomes was confirmed. Exosomes were isolated by Systems Biosciences from cultured cells as well as with an isolation kit that included ultracentrifugation steps. Overlay experiments were performed to determine mechanistic impact of exosomes on recipient cells by incubating isolated exosomes in serum-free media with target cells. Impact of D283 exosome incubation on endothelial and UW228 medulloblastoma cells was assessed by immunoblotting. Immunocytochemistry was employed to visualize exosome fusion with recipient cells. (3) Results: Overexpressing B7-H3 in D283 cells increases exosomal production and size distribution. Mass spectrometry revealed a host of novel, pathogenic molecules associated with B7-H3 in these exosomes including STAT3, CCL5, MMP9, and PI3K pathway molecules. Additionally, endothelial and UW228 cells incubated with D283-derived B7-H3-overexpressing exosomes induced B7-H3 expression while pSTAT1 levels decreased in UW228 cells. (4) Conclusions: In total, our results reveal a novel role in exosome production and packaging for B7-H3 that may contribute to medulloblastoma progression.