COX-2 and prostaglandin EP3/EP4 signaling regulate the tumor stromal proangiogenic microenvironment via CXCL12-CXCR4 chemokine systems

Am J Pathol. 2010 Mar;176(3):1469-83. doi: 10.2353/ajpath.2010.090607. Epub 2010 Jan 28.

Abstract

Bone marrow (BM)-derived hematopoietic cells, which are major components of tumor stroma, determine the tumor microenvironment and regulate tumor phenotypes. Cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 and endogenous prostaglandins are important determinants for tumor growth and tumor-associated angiogenesis; however, their contributions to stromal formation and angiogenesis remain unclear. In this study, we observed that Lewis lung carcinoma cells implanted in wild-type mice formed a tumor mass with extensive stromal formation that was markedly suppressed by COX-2 inhibition, which reduced the recruitment of BM cells. Notably, COX-2 inhibition attenuated CXCL12/CXCR4 expression as well as expression of several other chemokines. Indeed, in a Matrigel model, prostaglandin (PG) E2 enhanced stromal formation and CXCL12/CXCR4 expression. In addition, a COX-2 inhibitor suppressed stromal formation and reduced expression of CXCL12/CXCR4 and a fibroblast marker (S100A4) in a micropore chamber model. Moreover, stromal formation after tumor implantation was suppressed in EP3-/- mice and EP4-/- mice, in which stromal expression of CXCL12/CXCR4 and S100A4 was reduced. The EP3 or EP4 knockout suppressed S100A4+ fibroblasts, CXCL12+, and/or CXCR4+ stromal cells as well. Immunofluorescent analyses revealed that CXCL12+CXCR4+S100A4+ fibroblasts mainly comprised stromal cells and most of these were recruited from the BM. Additionally, either EP3- or EP4-specific agonists stimulated CXCL12 expression by fibroblasts in vitro. The present results address the novel activities of COX-2/PGE2-EP3/EP4 signaling that modulate tumor biology and show that CXCL12/CXCR4 axis may play a crucial role in tumor stromal formation and angiogenesis under the control of prostaglandins.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Administration, Topical
  • Animals
  • Antibodies, Neutralizing
  • Bone Marrow Cells / drug effects
  • Bone Marrow Cells / metabolism
  • Bone Marrow Cells / pathology
  • Cell Movement / drug effects
  • Chemokine CXCL12 / metabolism*
  • Collagen / metabolism
  • Cyclooxygenase 2 / metabolism*
  • Dinoprostone / administration & dosage
  • Dinoprostone / pharmacology
  • Drug Combinations
  • Fibroblasts / drug effects
  • Fibroblasts / metabolism
  • Fibroblasts / pathology
  • Granulation Tissue / drug effects
  • Granulation Tissue / pathology
  • Laminin / metabolism
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Neoplasm Transplantation
  • Neoplasms / blood supply*
  • Neoplasms / enzymology
  • Neoplasms / pathology
  • Neovascularization, Pathologic / enzymology*
  • Neovascularization, Pathologic / pathology
  • Proteoglycans / metabolism
  • Receptors, CXCR4 / metabolism*
  • Receptors, Prostaglandin E / agonists
  • Receptors, Prostaglandin E / metabolism*
  • Receptors, Prostaglandin E, EP3 Subtype
  • Receptors, Prostaglandin E, EP4 Subtype
  • Signal Transduction / drug effects
  • Stromal Cells / drug effects
  • Stromal Cells / enzymology
  • Stromal Cells / pathology

Substances

  • Antibodies, Neutralizing
  • Chemokine CXCL12
  • Drug Combinations
  • Laminin
  • Proteoglycans
  • Ptger3 protein, mouse
  • Ptger4 protein, mouse
  • Receptors, CXCR4
  • Receptors, Prostaglandin E
  • Receptors, Prostaglandin E, EP3 Subtype
  • Receptors, Prostaglandin E, EP4 Subtype
  • matrigel
  • Collagen
  • Ptgs2 protein, mouse
  • Cyclooxygenase 2
  • Dinoprostone