In Vitro Interaction of Melanoma-Derived Extracellular Vesicles with Collagen

Extracellular vesicles are now considered as active contributors to melanoma progression through their capacity to modify the tumor microenvironment and to favor the formation of a pre-metastatic niche. These prometastatic roles of tumor-derived EVs would pass through their interaction with the extracellular matrix (ECM) and its remodeling, in turn providing a substrate favoring persistent tumor cell migration. Nevertheless, the capacity of EVs to directly interact with ECM components is still questionable. In this study, we use electron microscopy and a pull-down assay to test the capacity of sEVs, derived from different melanoma cell lines, to physically interact with collagen I. We were able to generate collagen fibrils coated with sEVs and to show that melanoma cells release subpopulations of sEVs that can differentially interact with collagen.

Automated summary

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are actively involved in melanoma progression by modifying the tumor microenvironment and promoting the formation of pre-metastatic niche. The interaction of tumor-derived EVs with the extracellular matrix (ECM) plays a critical role in promoting persistent tumor cell migration. However, the direct interaction between EVs and ECM components is still uncertain. In this study, we utilized electron microscopy and a pull-down assay to demonstrate that sEVs derived from melanoma cell lines can physically interact with collagen I, forming collagen fibrils coated with sEVs, highlighting the heterogeneity of sEVs' interaction with collagen.