Tumor-derived exosomes promote macrophages M2 polarization through miR-1-3p and regulate the progression of liver cancer

Hepatic carcinoma is one of the most life-threatening malignancies in the world. In the clinic, it is urgent to establish a clear mechanism of hepatic carcinoma development as the basis for intervention and treatment. The purpose of this study was to explore the regulatory effect of tumor-derived exosomes on the progression of hepatocellular carcinoma.qPCR was used to detect the expression of miR-1–3p. CCk-8 and EdU staining were used to detect the proliferation and activity of hepatocellular carcinoma cells under different conditions. Transwell assay was used to detect migration and invasion of hepatocellular carcinoma cells. The morphology and size of exosomes were detected by transmission electron microscope and nanoparticle tracking analysis. Western blot was used to detect the expression of markers of exosomes. Immunofluorescence staining was used to explore the location of exosomes in hepatocellular carcinoma cells.The results showed that the expression of miR-1–3p was significantly reduced in hepatocellular carcinoma cells, and the exosomes transfected with miR-1–3p could enter macrophages and express miR-1–3p in large quantities. Macrophages polarized to M2 type under the action of miR-1–3p. Polarized M2 macrophages further down-regulated the proliferation, migration and invasion of Huh-7 cells.In summary, miR-1–3p can enter macrophages through exosomes and affect their polarization, thus affecting the growth of hepatic carcinoma cells. miR-1–3p may be a potentially effective target for regulating liver cancer progression.