Work

MDA-9/Syntenin promotes glioma cell proliferation and invasion via exosome-mediated activation of the PI3K-AKT signaling pathway

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Exosomes, lipid bilayer-enclosed extracellular vesicles, transfer bioactive molecules to mediate intercellular communication and tumour progression. Melanoma differentiation-associated gene 9 (MDA-9/Syntenin) regulates exosome biogenesis, but its role in glioma-derived exosomes remains poorly understood, with prior studies focusing primarily on MDA-9’s intracellular functions in glioma cells. Here, we investigate MDA-9-mediated exosomal contributions to glioma pathogenesis. We found that MDA-9 is upregulated in glioma tissues, correlating with poor prognosis in glioma patients. Exosomes from MDA-9-overexpressing glioma cells significantly enhanced recipient glioma cell proliferation and invasion compared to controls. Mechanistically, these exosomes activated the PI3K-AKT pathway, upregulating MMP9 and c-MYC to drive cell proliferation and invasion. These findings reveal a novel role of the exosomal MDA-9–PI3K-AKT–MMP9/c-MYC axis in glioma progression, highlighting MDA-9 as a promising therapeutic target. • MDA-9 expression is upregulated in glioma and predicts a poor prognosis. • MDA-9 enriched exosomes enhanced recipient glioma cell proliferation and invasion. • MDA-9 enriched exosomes upregulated MMP9 and c-MYC by activating the AKT pathway.

Source: Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications

DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2025.152720

Authors: Yanwen Zheng, Xiaoting Yu, Zhaomin Zhong, Ming Li

Institutions: Second Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Soochow University, University of Plymouth

Language: English

Topic: Extracellular vesicles in disease

Subfield: Molecular Biology

Field: Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology

Domain: Life Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $3,110