SPON2 facilitates osteosarcoma development by inducing M2 macrophage polarization through activation of the NF-κB/VEGF signaling axis
Xinchang Lu, Xueping Zhang, Fengzhen Zhang, Wenhao Wang, Ruijie Liu, Yubao Hou, Weiye Shi, Jiazhen Li, Changliang Peng
Abstract
Osteosarcoma (OS) is an aggressive bone tumor with poor prognosis, particularly in metastatic cases. Here, we identify spondin 2 (SPON2) as a key driver of OS progression. SPON2 is significantly upregulated in OS tissues and cell lines and correlates with shorter patient survival. Functional assays show that SPON2 promotes OS cell proliferation, migration, invasion, and angiogenesis by enhancing the secretion of IL10, CCL2, and CSF1, which leads to M2 macrophage polarization and an immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment. In vitro, SPON2 knockdown reduces M2 macrophage markers and attenuates EMT phenotypes, as evidenced by decreased mesenchymal markers and preserved epithelial characteristics. Mechanistically, SPON2 activates the NF-κB/VEGF signaling axis to drive both macrophage polarization and EMT, thereby promoting tumor progression. In vivo, SPON2 knockdown in OS xenografts suppresses tumor growth, lung metastasis, and M2 polarization, while increasing M1-associated markers. Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) stimulation restores cytokine secretion and EMT marker expression in SPON2-knockdown models, suggesting that SPON2 acts through inflammation-responsive pathways. Together, these findings establish SPON2 as a key regulator of both immune modulation and metastatic behavior in OS, and highlight its potential as a therapeutic target.