Neuropilin-2–expressing breast cancer cells mitigate radiation-induced oxidative stress through nitric oxide signaling

Abstract

The high rate of recurrence after radiation therapy in triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) indicates that novel approaches and targets are needed to enhance radiosensitivity. Here, we report that neuropilin-2 (NRP2), a receptor for vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) that is enriched on subpopulations of TNBC cells with stem cell properties, is an effective therapeutic target for sensitizing TNBC to radiotherapy. Specifically, VEGF/NRP2 signaling induces nitric oxide synthase 2 (NOS2) transcription by a mechanism dependent on Gli1. NRP2-expressing tumor cells serve as a hub to produce nitric oxide (NO), an autocrine and paracrine signaling metabolite, which promotes cysteine-nitrosylation of Kelch-like ECH-associated protein 1 (KEAP1) and, consequently, nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2-mediated (NFE2L2-mediated) transcription of antioxidant response genes. Inhibiting VEGF binding to NRP2, using a humanized mAb, results in NFE2L2 degradation via KEAP1, rendering cell lines and organoids vulnerable to irradiation. Importantly, treatment of patient-derived xenografts with the NRP2 mAb and radiation resulted in significant tumor necrosis and regression compared with radiation alone. Together, these findings reveal a targetable mechanism of radioresistance, and they support the use of NRP2 mAb as an effective radiosensitizer in TNBC.