Apoptosis is critical for maintaining bodily homeostasis and produces a large number of apoptotic extracellular vesicles (apoEVs). Several types of cancer cells display reduced expression of Fas on the cell surface and are thus capable of escaping Fas ligand-induced apoptosis. However, it is unknown whether normal cell-derived apoEVs can regulate tumor growth. In this study, we show that apoEVs can induce multiple myeloma (MM) cell apoptosis and inhibit MM cell growth. Systemic infusion of mesenchymal stem cell (MSC)-derived apoEVs significantly prolongs the lifespan of MM mice. Mechanistically, apoEVs directly contact MM cells to facilitate Fas trafficking from the cytoplasm to the cell membrane by evoking Ca2+ influx and elevation of cytosolic Ca2+. Subsequently, apoEVs use their Fas ligand to activate the Fas pathway in MM cells, leading to the initiation of apoptosis. This study identifies the role of apoEVs in inducing MM apoptosis and suggests a potential for apoEVs to treat MM.
Keywords: Fas; FasL; apoptosis; apoptotic extracellular vesicles; multiple myeloma.