The “seed and soil” hypothesis of cancer metastasis has led us to examine the role of tumor-derived exosomes on reprogramming stromal cells composing the tumor microenvironment. We used human adult dermal fibroblasts (HADF) in vitro as a model of the premetastatic niche. Specifically, we determined the role of human melanoma-derived exosomes (HMEX) on governing metabolic reprogramming of healthy HADF. HMEX from six melanoma cell lines (3 BRAF V600E mutant cell lines (526-mel, 888-mel and Hs 294T) and 3 BRAF wild-type cell lines (1300-mel, 2183-Her4 and HMCB)) were purified by size-exclusion chromatography. Using the fluorescent tag CellVue (Maroon) we demonstrated via ImageStream that HMEXs are rapidly taken up by HADF. Following 18 hours of exposure to HMEX, HADF increased aerobic glycolysis and reduced oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) in vitro, as measured by Agilent Seahorse XFe96. We have also developed an immuno-biochip that captures exosomes via anti-CD63 antibodies and simultaneously detects exosomal microRNAs by cationic lipoplex nanoparticles (tCLN) containing molecular beacons. With this immuno-biochip, we demonstrated the presence of microRNAs miR-155 and miR-210 in HMEX, both of which work in concert to promote glycolysis and inhibit OXPHOS. The result has been consistent across all HMEXs from the six different melanoma cell lines. Our findings reveal a correlation between metabolic function and the presence of metabolically active microRNAs in HMEX that control aerobic glycolysis and OXPHOS of normal fibroblasts. Melanoma exosomes are potentially key players in promoting tumor progression by modulating normal stromal cell metabolism and creating an environment that is conducive to metastasis.

Oxygen Consumption Rate (OCR) pmol/min

 HADF only HADF + HMEX 17.5 μg HADF + HMEX 25 μg HADF + HMEX 50μg HADF + HMEX100μg 
Basal OCR 52.67 53.58 50.96 38.20 31.56 
 HADF only HADF + HMEX 17.5 μg HADF + HMEX 25 μg HADF + HMEX 50μg HADF + HMEX100μg 
Basal OCR 52.67 53.58 50.96 38.20 31.56 

Citation Format: Shin La Shu, Cheryl L. Allen, Yunchen Yang, Orla Maguire, Hans Minderman, Arindam Sen, Michael J. Ciesielski, Katherine A. Collins, Peter J. Bush, Martin Morgan, Yun Wu, Richard B. Bankert, Marc S. Ernstoff. Human melanoma exosomes induce metabolic reprogramming in human adult dermal fibroblasts [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2018; 2018 Apr 14-18; Chicago, IL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2018;78(13 Suppl):Abstract nr 5087.