Ricerc@Sapienza

Tumor cells release extracellular microvesicles (MVs) in the microenvironment to deliver biological signals to neighbouring cells as well as to cells in distant tissues.
Tumor-derived MVs appear to play contradictory role promoting both immunosuppression and tumor growth and both evoking tumor specific immune response. Recent evidences indicate that tumor-derived MVs can positively impact Dendritic Cells (DCs) immunogenicity by reprogramming DC antigen processing machinery and intracellular signaling pathways, thus promoting anti-tumor response.

Dendritic cells (DCs) are the only antigen-presenting cells able to prime naïve T cells and
cross-prime antigen-specific CD8+ T cells. Their functionality is a requirement for the
induction and maintenance of long-lasting cancer immunity. Albeit intensively investigated,
the in vivo mechanisms underlying efficient antigen cross-processing and presentation
are not fully understood. Several pieces of evidence indicate that antigen transfer to DCs
mediated by microvesicles (MVs) enhances antigen immunogenicity. This mechanism