Fig. 7

KPNA2 proteins encapsulated in exosomes have the potential to act as tumor markers and regulate fibroblast activation. A Exosome particle size analysis. B Electron microscopic identification of exosomes. C Exosome marker western blot identification. D Tissue sequencing of exosomal proteins identifies KPNA2 proteins encapsulated within exosomes. E Patients with tumors have significantly higher levels of KPNA2 protein in serum exosomes compared with normal individuals. F Exosome coculture model diagram. G Representative microscope images of J82, T24 and fibroblast cytosolic uptake of PKH67-labelled exosomes are shown. H Analysis of relative proliferation rate in CCK-8 assay after coculture with different levels of KPNA2-containing exosomes. I Fibroblasts show enhanced migratory ability after coculturing with exosomes containing KPNA2 compared with the PBS group or Exo-siKPNA2 group. J In Transwell assays, the migration of J82 and T24 cells cocultured with exosomes containing different levels of KPNA2 was examined. K Fibroblasts secrete more IL-6 after coculturing with exosomes containing KPNA2 compared with the PBS group or Exo-siKPNA2 group. L Fibroblasts showed higher levels of α-SMA expression after coculturing with exosomes containing KPNA2 than the PBS or Exo-siKPNA2 groups. *, p < 0.05; **, p < 0.01; ***, p < 0.001