VEGFR-2 Phosphorylation at Y1054 or Y1214 is Necessary for Mechanically-Induced Angiogenesis

Anti-angiogenic cancer therapies attempt to withhold necessary nutrients and oxygen from growing tumors by targeting the major promoters of endothelial cell (EC) angiogenesis: vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and VEGF receptor 2 (VEGFR-2). Unfortunately, these treatments are often insufficient, even when coupled with chemotherapies, and fail to significantly increase survival rates. The tumor microenvironment (TME) is mechanically distinct compared to normal tissue, including increased matrix deformations or strains caused by cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs). In this report, we detail the specific and independent roles of two tyrosine residues, Y1054 and Y1214, on mechanical activation of VEGFR-2. Furthermore, we characterize CAF biochemical and mechanical signaling and demonstrate how ECs exhibit decreased vessel growth when co-cultured with CAFs and treated with a contractility inhibitor. Using non-phosphorylatable VEGFR-2 mutants, we reveal Y1054 and Y1214 are each necessary for EC angiogenesis, particularly in response to strain. Overall, this research highlights the need to study how mechanics in the TME promote vessel growth and thus tumor progression, which is important to consider when developing future anti-angiogenic therapies.