Exosomal MIR-196a-1 promotes gastric cancer cell invasion and metastasis by targeting SFRP1

Aim: To investigate the role of exosomal miRNAs on gastric cancer (GC) metastasis. Materials & methods: miRNA expression profiles of exosomes with distinct invasion potentials were analyzed using miRNA microarray and validated by quantitative real-time PCR. In vitro and in vivo experiments assessed the role of exosomal miR-196a-1 in GC's metastasis. Results: High expression level of exosomal miR-196a-1 expression was significantly associated with poor survival in GC. Exosomes that contained miR-196a-1 were secreted from high-invasive GC cells. Ectopic miR-196a-1 expression promoted invasion of low-invasive GC cells by targeting SFRP1. Conclusion: miR-196a-1 was delivered from high-invasive GC into low-invasive GC cells via exosomes and promoted metastasis to the liver in vitro and in vivo.