Recently, researchers from Shenyang Institute of Automation, Chinese Academy of Sciences (SIA, CAS) have constructed a biomimetic peritoneum. The biomimetic model is similar to real peritoneum in internal microstructure, composition, and primary function, and it enables the recurrence of peritoneal metastasis process in vitro. 

Based on this model, the association between the mechanical properties of sEVs and the invasiveness of gastric cancer was studied. By performing nanomechanical analysis on sEVs, researchers found that the Young’s modulus of sEVs can be utilized to differentiate between malignant clinical samples (ascites) and nonmalignant clinical samples (peritoneal lavage). Furthermore, patients’ ascites-derived sEVs were verified to stimulate the mesothelial-to-mesenchymal transition, thereby promoting peritoneal metastasis. 

In summary, nanomechanical analysis of living sEVs could be utilized for the noninvasive diagnosis of malignant degree and peritoneal metastasis of gastric cancer. 

This study is published on ACS NANO.