Figure 8.

Schematic model of RBVS-exosomes role in vitreous seeding formation. From primary tumor few cells (RBT) that are able to survive in the hypoxic environment of the eye and that acquire resistance to anoikis, escape from the primary mass (1) and establish a metastasis in the vitreous (RBVS) (2). Exosomes secreted by RBVS cells are enriched in proteins implicated in ECM remodeling/invadosomes formation, resistance to anoikis, changes in metabolism and nerve growth (3). These cells can be up-taked by: (i) RBT cells inducing an invasive phenotype transferring their protein cargo and inducing anoikis resistance, formation of invadosomes, changes in metabolism in target cells (4) or (ii) by RBVS- cells strengthening their aggressiveness (5). RBT-exosomes are enriched in proteins involved in neuronal development (6).