COX2 regulates senescence secretome composition and senescence surveillance through PGE2

Senescent cells trigger their own immune-mediated destruction, termed senescence surveillance. This is dependent on the inflammatory senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP), which includes COX2, an enzyme with complex roles in cancer. The role COX2 plays during senescence surveillance is unknown. Here, we show that during RAS-induced senescence (RIS), COX2 is a critical regulator of SASP composition and senescence surveillance in vivo. COX2 regulates the expression of multiple inflammatory SASP components through an autocrine feedback loop involving its downstream product, prostaglandin E-2 (PGE(2)), binding to EP4. During in vivo hepatocyte RIS, Cox2 is critical to tumor suppression, Cxcl1 expression, and immune-mediated senescence surveillance, partially through PGE(2). Loss of Cox2 in RIS dysregulates the intrahepatic immune microenvironment, with enrichment of immunosuppressive immature myeloid cells and CD4(+) regulatory T lymphocytes. Therefore, COX2 and PGE(2) play a critical role in senescence, shaping SASP composition, promoting senescence surveillance and tumor suppression in the earliest stages of tumorigenesis.

Automated summary

COX2 plays a critical role in regulating SASP composition and senescence surveillance during RAS-induced senescence. Its downstream product, prostaglandin E-2 (PGE(2)), is also implicated in tumor suppression and shaping the immune microenvironment during senescence. Loss of COX2 dysregulates immune cells and impairs senescence surveillance in early tumorigenesis.