Curcumin induces selective packaging of miR-21 in exosomes released by Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia cells

Chronic myeloid leukemia is a myeloproliferative disorder that comes from a hematopoietic stem cell or a multipotent progenitor. Exosomes are biological nanovescicles (40-100 nm) able to modulate intercellular communication and tumour microenvironment; they also contain miRNAs that can influence gene expression in target cells. OncomiRNAs, such as miR-21, are often increased in cancer. Some observation indicate a possible cellular disposal of miRNAs by exosomes. Curcumin affects the expression of microRNAs in CML cells and according to our data may play a role in this process.