CXCL10 Secreted by Pericytes Mediates TNFα-Induced Vascular Leakage in Tumors and Enhances Extravasation of Nanoparticle-Based Chemotherapeutics

TNFα induces vascular permeability and plays an important role in inflammation. In addition, TNFα-induced vascular leakage is involved in the increased extravasation of nanoparticle-formulated chemotherapeutic drugs, improving drug delivery and subsequent tumor response. In this study, we uncovered a positive correlation between the presence of pericytes in the tumor-associated vasculature and TNFα-induced leakage and drug delivery, especially when drugs were encapsulated in nanoparticles. RNA sequencing and pathway analysis identified high expression of C-X-C motif chemokine ligand 10 (CXCL10) in TNFα-stimulated pericytes. In addition, TNFα increased CXCL10 protein production by pericytes in vitro. In animal studies, tumor types with vessels with high pericyte coverage showed enhanced permeability and extravasation of drugs encapsulated in nanoparticles following treatment with TNFα, which could be blocked with a CXCL10-neutralizing antibody. In contrast, tumors harboring vessels with low pericyte numbers did not display increased drug extravasation in response to TNFα. Lack of pericyte coverage could be compensated by coadministration of CXCL10. These findings reveal a mechanism by which TNFα induces CXCL10 release from pericytes, resulting in increased endothelial permeability, vascular leakage, and drug delivery. Significance: TNFα stimulates tumor-associated pericytes to produce CXCL10 that mediates vascular leakage and assists in the intratumoral delivery of nanoparticle-encapsulated chemotherapeutic drugs.