CAFs exosomal miR-21-5p suppresses ferroptosis and promotes proliferation and migration in osteosarcoma

Quick Facts

  • Publication title: CAFs exosomal miR-21-5p suppresses ferroptosis and promotes proliferation and migration in osteosarcoma
  • Journal: Cancer Cell Int
  • Year: 2025
  • DOI: 10.1186/s12935-025-03930-8
  • PMID/PMCID: 40826086; PMC12362868

Research overview

Osteosarcoma is one of the malignant tumors in children and adolescents patients. Our findings indicate that exosomal miR-21-5p could potentially serve as a therapeutic target in osteosarcoma, providing initial evidence for further clinical investigation.

Key findings

Single-cell RNA sequencing analysis of GSE162454 revealed the crucial role of CAFs in the pathogenesis of osteosarcoma.

Tissue exosomal miRNA sequencing unveiled significant differential expression of miR-21-5p.

Subsequently, aberrant upregulation of exosomal miR-21-5p exhibited a strong correlation with advanced clinical stage and poor prognosis in osteosarcoma.

Further experiments in vitro indicated that elevated levels of miR-21-5p significantly enhanced proliferation and migration of osteosarcoma cells by suppressing ferroptosis.

Study design

Single-cell RNA sequencing was employed to characterize the microenvironment of osteosarcoma.

Tissue exosomal miRNA sequencing was conducted on tumor tissues and adjacent normal tissues to screen for abnormal expression of exosomal miRNAs.

WGCNA analysis was used to identify target exosomal miRNAs.

Echo Biotech Role

Echo Biotech contributed EV isolation and purification, EV characterization, miRNA profiling/sequencing and bioinformatic analysis; the study also used or cited Exosupur®.

Related platforms: Exoomics®, Research Reagents & Tools

Related services and capabilities: Tissue EV Isolation & Purification, EV Basic Characterization (TEM/NTA/WB), EV miRNA Profiling / Sequencing, Research Reagent / Product Supply

Related products or reagents: Exosupur® EV Isolation/Purification Kit

References

Original publication: CAFs exosomal miR-21-5p suppresses ferroptosis and promotes proliferation and migration in osteosarcoma Cancer cell international. 2025. DOI: 10.1186/s12935-025-03930-8. PMID/PMCID: 40826086; PMC12362868.