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. Author manuscript; available in PMC: 2017 Apr 6.
Published in final edited form as: Adv Clin Chem. 2016 Apr 7;74:103–141. doi: 10.1016/bs.acc.2015.12.005

Figure 9.

Figure 9

Systemic effects of tumor-derived exosomes on the host immune system. These effects may be direct, such as apoptosis of activated CD8+ T cells in the presence of FasL+ exosomes and blocking of monocyte differentiation into dendritic cells (DC), or indirect, such as exosome-driven expansion of regulatory T cells (Treg) or myeloid derived suppressor cells (MDSC) which suppress activities of other immune cells. Anti-tumor effector T cells generated in response to immune therapies are especially sensitive to exosomes carrying immunosuppressive factors. Natural killer (NK) cell activities are inhibited by transforming growth factor β (TGF-β) carried by exosomes or produced by MDSC. Prostaglandin2 (PGE2) and adenosine (ADO) are factors that are delivered by exosomes (PGE2) or produced by exosomes equipped with CD39/CD73 in the presence of ATP (ADO). The figure is reproduced with permission from ref (#39).