Primary Melanoma miRNA Trafficking Induces Lymphangiogenesis

Journal of Investigative Dermatology

Clinical Summary

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What was studied

A preclinical investigation tested whether in situ melanoma cells promote dermal lymphangiogenesis by exporting melanosomes that deliver the microRNA let-7i to lymphatic endothelial cells, activating type I interferon signaling.

Key findings

Melanoma-derived melanosomes were taken up by lymphatic endothelial cells and transferred mature let-7i, triggering pro-lymphangiogenic phenotypes via type I interferon signaling; transcriptomics showed increased IFI6 after melanosome or let-7i exposure.

Study limitations

Findings are mechanistic and based on cell/transcriptomic assays with no clinical or in vivo outcomes reported in the abstract; no quantitative effect sizes or sample sizes are provided.