PDGF-mediated mesenchymal transformation renders endothelial resistance to anti-VEGF treatment in glioblastoma

Nat Commun. 2018 Aug 27;9(1):3439. doi: 10.1038/s41467-018-05982-z.

Abstract

Angiogenesis is a hallmark of cancer. However, most malignant solid tumors exhibit robust resistance to current anti-angiogenic therapies that primarily target VEGF pathways. Here we report that endothelial-mesenchymal transformation induces glioblastoma (GBM) resistance to anti-angiogenic therapy by downregulating VEGFR-2 expression in tumor-associated endothelial cells (ECs). We show that VEGFR-2 expression is markedly reduced in human and mouse GBM ECs. Transcriptome analysis verifies reduced VEGFR-2 expression in ECs under GBM conditions and shows increased mesenchymal gene expression in these cells. Furthermore, we identify a PDGF/NF-κB/Snail axis that induces mesenchymal transformation and reduces VEGFR-2 expression in ECs. Finally, dual inhibition of VEGFR and PDGFR eliminates tumor-associated ECs and improves animal survival in GBM-bearing mice. Notably, EC-specific knockout of PDGFR-β sensitizes tumors to VEGF-neutralizing treatment. These findings reveal an endothelial plasticity-mediated mechanism that controls anti-angiogenic therapy resistance, and suggest that vascular de-transformation may offer promising opportunities for anti-vascular therapy in cancer.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Cell Proliferation
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Chickens
  • Chromatin Immunoprecipitation
  • Endothelial Cells / drug effects
  • Endothelial Cells / metabolism
  • Flow Cytometry
  • Fluorescent Antibody Technique
  • Glioblastoma / drug therapy*
  • Glioblastoma / metabolism*
  • Humans
  • Immunoblotting
  • Mice
  • Mice, Knockout
  • NF-kappa B / metabolism
  • Platelet-Derived Growth Factor / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Platelet-Derived Growth Factor / metabolism*
  • Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction
  • Snail Family Transcription Factors
  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-2 / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-2 / metabolism*

Substances

  • NF-kappa B
  • Platelet-Derived Growth Factor
  • Snail Family Transcription Factors
  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-2