In Vitro Effects of Extracellular Vesicles from Adipose Tissue-Derived Stem Cells on the Growth and Metastasis of Cultured Breast Cancer Cells - Downregulation of Interleukin-6 Expression and the Microtubule Network

Q: What experimental model and cell line were used to test ADSC-derived EVs?

The study used MCF-7 breast cancer cells. Extracellular vesicles were isolated from ADSC culture supernatants and applied to MCF-7 cells across a concentration range.

Q: How did ADSC-EVs affect MCF-7 cell viability and migration?

Treatment inhibited MCF-7 cell activity, significantly reducing viability and almost completely blocking migration, with reduced wound closure rates compared with controls.

Q: Which molecular pathways and cellular structures were altered by EV treatment?

EV exposure significantly downregulated IL-6, IL-6R/STAT3-associated gene expression and caused severe disruption of the microtubule network, including disorganized microtubule architecture and reduced TubA1 and CALR gene expression.

Sep 30, 2026

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Breast cancer remains the most common malignancy worldwide and a major cause of cancer-related mortality. This in vitro study evaluates how extracellular vesicles (EVs) derived from adipose tissue-derived stem cells (ADSCs) affect MCF-7 breast cancer cells. EVs were isolated from ADSC culture supernatants and applied at 0–80% (v/v), then assessed for viability, migration, and IL-6/STAT3 pathway gene expression using MTT, scratch assays, and qRT-PCR. EV treatment reduced viability and nearly blocked migration, with pronounced wound-closure inhibition and significant downregulation of IL-6, IL-6R/STAT3-related targets and microtubule network disruption. Findings support EV-mediated suppression of inflammatory signaling and destabilization of intracellular microtubules, providing a molecular basis for EV-based therapeutic strategies.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

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Pages20

Reading Time50 min

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Article In Vitro Effects of Extracellular Vesicles from Adipose Tissue-Derived Stem Cells on the Growth and Metastasis of Cultured Breast Cancer Cells via Downregulation of Interleukin-6 Expression and the Microtubule Network Huyen Thi La 1,2, Hai Manh Tran 1, Phuc Minh Thi Le 1, Huyen Thi Ngo 1, Hanh Hong Hoang 1, Da Thi Nguyen 1,2, Linh Thuy Nguyen 1, Nghia Trong Nguyen 3, Lien Ha Thi Nghiem 3, Van Hanh Nguyen 4, Long Hoang Nguyen 5,6, *, Van Ngoc Bui 1,2, Nam Trung Nguyen 1,2 and Ha Hoang Chu 1,2 Academic Editor: Jose A. Tapia Received: 22 November 2025 Revised: 19 December 2025 Accepted: 20 December 2025 Published: 28 December 2025 Copyright: © 2025 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland. This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) license. 1 Institute of Biology, Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology, Hanoi 100000, Vietnam; [huyenla.ibt@gmail.com](huyenla.ibt@gmail.com) (H.T.L.) 2 Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology, Graduate University of Science and Technology, Hanoi 100000, Vietnam 3 Institute of Physics, Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology, Hanoi 118000, Vietnam 4 Faculty of Agricultural Technology, VNU University of Engineering and Technology, 144 Xuan Thuy, Cau Giay, Hanoi 100000, Vietnam 5 Institute for Advanced Study in Technology, Ton Duc Thang University, Ho Chi Minh City 700000, Vietnam 6 Faculty of Pharmacy, Ton Duc Thang University, Ho Chi Minh City 700000, Vietnam * [Correspondence: nguyenhoanglong@tdtu.edu.vn](Correspondence: nguyenhoanglong@tdtu.edu.vn); Tel.: +84-812098910 Simple Summary Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women worldwide and remains a major cause of death. Scientists are exploring new treatments that go beyond surgery and chemotherapy. This study looked at tiny natural particles called extracellular vesicles, released by fatderived stem cells, to see how they affect breast cancer cells in the lab. The extracellular vesicles were isolated with high purity and predominantly fell within the nanoscale size range, with an average diameter of 177.1 ± 78.7 nm. When breast cancer cells were treated with these vesicles, their growth and movement slowed, especially at a moderate concentration. The treatment also reduced the levels of molecules linked to inflammation and cancer progression, such as IL-6 and STAT3, and disrupted the internal skeleton that helps cells divide and spread. Under the microscope, cancer cells exposed to the vesicles showed disorganized structures and less stability. These results suggest that substances naturally produced by stem cells might help slow or stop cancer cell growth by blocking harmful signaling and weakening the cell’s internal framework. This research could open the way for new, cell-free treatments that use the body’s own biological materials to fight breast cancer safely and effectively. Abstract Breast cancer remains the most common malignancy worldwide and the leading cause of cancer-related mortality. Recently, extracellular vesicles (EVs) derived from adipose tissue-derived stem cells (ADSCs) have attracted increasing attention for their potential to modulate inflammatory signaling and influence tumor cell behavior. This in vitro study was designed to investigate the effects of ADSC-EVs on MCF-7 breast cancer cells. EVs were isolated from ADSC culture supernatants and applied to MCF-7 cells at concentrations ranging from 0 to 80%(v/v) . Cell viability, migration, and expression of IL-6/STAT3 pathway-related genes were evaluated using MTT, scratch assays, and qRT-PCR. Statistical analysis was performed using one-way ANOVA followed by Tukey’s post hoc test, with significance set at p < 0.05 . The results showed that 20% EV treatment markedly inhibited MCF-7 cell activity, significantly reducing viability and almost completely blocking migration, with wound closure rates of 35.4% ± 3.80 at 24 h and 4

FAQs

What experimental model and cell line were used to test ADSC-derived EVs?

The study used MCF-7 breast cancer cells. Extracellular vesicles were isolated from ADSC culture supernatants and applied to MCF-7 cells across a concentration range.

How did ADSC-EVs affect MCF-7 cell viability and migration?

Treatment inhibited MCF-7 cell activity, significantly reducing viability and almost completely blocking migration, with reduced wound closure rates compared with controls.

Which molecular pathways and cellular structures were altered by EV treatment?

EV exposure significantly downregulated IL-6, IL-6R/STAT3-associated gene expression and caused severe disruption of the microtubule network, including disorganized microtubule architecture and reduced TubA1 and CALR gene expression.

Sep 30, 2026

Upload by Oliver