Intravital Imaging Identifies the VEGF–TXA2 Axis as a Critical Promoter of PGE2 Secretion from Tumor Cells and Immune Evasion

Abstract

Prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) promotes tumor progression through evasion of antitumor immunity. In stark contrast to cyclooxygenase-dependent production of PGE2, little is known whether PGE2 secretion is regulated within tumor tissues. Here, we show that VEGF-dependent release of thromboxane A2 (TXA2) triggers Ca2+ transients in tumor cells, culminating in PGE2 secretion and subsequent immune evasion in the early stages of tumorigenesis. Ca2+ transients caused cPLA2 activation and triggered the arachidonic acid cascade. Ca2+ transients were monitored as the surrogate marker of PGE2 secretion. Intravital imaging of BrafV600E mouse melanoma cells revealed that the proportion of cells exhibiting Ca2+ transients is markedly higher in vivo than in vitro. The TXA2 receptor was indispensable for the Ca2+ transients in vivo, high intratumoral PGE2 concentration, and evasion of antitumor immunity. Notably, treatment with a VEGF receptor antagonist and an anti-VEGF antibody rapidly suppressed Ca2+ transients and reduced TXA2 and PGE2 concentrations in tumor tissues. These results identify the VEGF–TXA2 axis as a critical promoter of PGE2-dependent tumor immune evasion, providing a molecular basis underlying the immunomodulatory effect of anti-VEGF therapies. Significance: This study identifies the VEGF–TXA2 axis as a potentially targetable regulator of PGE2 secretion, which provides novel strategies for prevention and treatment of multiple types of malignancies.

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