Figure 8. Pleiotropic regulation of cancer cell metabolism by CDEs.
Schematic shows the metabolic regulation of CDEs in cancer cells through inhibition of oxidative phosphorylation and contribution of metabolite cargo. This regulation leads to significant increase of reductive glutamine metabolism in cancer cells in presence of exosomes. CDEs are also cargo of amino acids, TCA cycle metabolites, and lipids. In nutrient starved TME metabolites derived from exosomes enrich cancer cells with biosynthesis building blocks and thereby promote tumor growth.