Cyp2c44 regulates prostaglandin synthesis, lymphangiogenesis, and metastasis in a mouse model of breast cancer

Abstract

Arachidonic acid epoxides generated by cytochrome P450 (CYP) enzymes have been linked to increased tumor growth and metastasis, largely on the basis of overexpression studies and the application of exogenous epoxides. Here we studied tumor growth and metastasis in Cyp2c44^−/− mice crossed onto the polyoma middle T oncogene (PyMT) background. The resulting PyMT^2c44 mice developed more primary tumors earlier than PyMT mice, with increased lymph and lung metastasis. Primary tumors from Cyp2c44-deficient mice contained higher numbers of tumor-associated macrophages, as well as more lymphatic endothelial cells than tumors from PyMT mice. While epoxide and diol levels were comparable in tumors from both genotypes, prostaglandin (PG) levels were higher in the PyMT^Δ2c44 tumors. This could be accounted for by the finding that Cyp2c44 metabolized the PG precursor, PGH₂ to 12(S)-hydroxyheptadeca-5Z,8E,10E-trienoic acid (12-HHT), thus effectively reducing levels of effector PGs (including PGE₂). Next, proteomic analyses revealed an up-regulation of WD repeating domain FYVE1 (WDFY1) in tumors from PyMT^Δ2c44 mice, a phenomenon that was reproduced in Cyp2c44-deficient macrophages as well as by PGE₂. Mechanistically, WDFY1 was involved in Toll-like receptor signaling, and its down-regulation in human monocytes attenuated the LPS-induced phosphorylation of IFN regulatory factor 3 and nuclear factor-κB. Taken together, our results indicate that Cyp2c44 protects against tumor growth and metastasis by preventing the synthesis of PGE₂. The latter eicosanoid influenced macrophages at least in part by enhancing Toll-like receptor signaling via the up-regulation of WDFY1.