ADGRL4/ELTD1 Expression in Breast Cancer Cells Induces Vascular Normalization and Immune Suppression

ELTD1/ADGRL4 expression is increased in the vasculature of a number of tumor types and this correlates with a good prognosis. Expression has also been reported in some tumor cells with high expression correlating with a good prognosis in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and a poor prognosis in glioblastoma. Here we show that 35% of primary human breast tumors stain positively for ELTD1, with 9% having high expression that correlates with improved relapse-free survival. Using immunocompetent, syngeneic mouse breast cancer models we found that tumors expressing recombinant murine Eltd1 grew faster than controls, with an enhanced ability to metastasize and promote systemic immune effects. The Eltd1-expressing tumors had larger and better perfused vessels and tumor-endothelial cell interaction led to the release of proangiogenic and immune-modulating factors. M2-like macrophages increased in the stroma along with expression of programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) on tumor and immune cells, to create an immunosuppressive microenvironment that allowed Eltd1-regulated tumor growth in the presence of an NY-ESO-1-specific immune response. Eltd1-positive tumors also responded better to chemotherapy which could explain the relationship to a good prognosis observed in primary human cases. Thus, ELTD1 expression may enhance delivery of therapeutic antibodies to reverse the immunosuppression and increase response to chemotherapy and radiotherapy in this subset of tumors. ELTD1 may be useful as a selection marker for such therapies. IMPLICATIONS: ELTD1 expression in mouse breast tumors creates an immunosuppressive microenvironment and increases vessel size and perfusion. Its expression may enhance the delivery of therapies targeting the immune system.