Endothelial EphrinB2 Regulates Sunitinib Therapy Response in Murine Glioma

Vascular guidance is critical in developmental vasculogenesis and pathological angiogenesis. Brain tumors are strongly vascularized, and antiangiogenic therapy was anticipated to exhibit a strong anti-tumor effect in this tumor type. However, vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGFA) specific inhibition had no significant impact in clinical practice of gliomas. More research is needed to understand the failure of this therapeutic approach. EphrinB2 has been found to directly interact with vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2 (VEGFR2) and regulate its activity. Here we analyzed the expression of ephrinB2 and EphB4 in human glioma, we observed vascular localization of ephrinB2 in physiology and pathology and found a significant survival reduction in patients with elevated ephrinB2 tumor expression. Induced endothelial specific depletion of ephrinB2 in the adult mouse (efnb2(i increment EC)) had no effect on the quiescent vascular system of the brain. However, we found glioma growth and perfusion altered in efnb2(i increment EC) animals similar to the effects observed with antiangiogenic therapy. No additional anti-tumor effect was observed in efnb2(i increment EC) animals treated with antiangiogenic therapy. Our data indicate that ephrinB2 and VEGFR2 converge on the same pathway and intervention with either molecule results in a reduction in angiogenesis.