cells Review Phospholipase A2 Drives Tumorigenesis and Cancer Aggressiveness through Its Interaction with Annexin A1 Lara Vecchi 1, Thaise Gonçalves Araújo 1,2, Fernanda Van Petten de Vasconcelos Azevedo 1, Sara Teixeria Soares Mota 1, Veridiana de Melo Rodrigues Ávila 3, Matheus Alves Ribeiro 2 and Luiz Ricardo Goulart 1,* 1 Laboratory of Nanobiotechnology, Federal University of Uberlandia, Uberlandia 38400-902, MG, Brazil;
[email protected] (L.V.);
[email protected] (T.G.A.);
[email protected] (F.V.P.d.V.A.);
[email protected] (S.T.S.M.) 2 Laboratory of Genetics and Biotechnology, Federal University of Uberlandia, Patos de Minas 387400-128, MG, Brazil;
[email protected] 3 Laboratory of Biochemistry and Animal Toxins, Institute of Biotechnology, Federal University of Uberlandia, Uberlandia 38400-902, MG, Brazil;
[email protected] * Correspondence:
[email protected]; Tel.: +55-3432258440 Abstract: Phospholipids are suggested to drive tumorigenesis through their essential role in inflam- mation. Phospholipase A2 (PLA2) is a phospholipid metabolizing enzyme that releases free fatty acids, mostly arachidonic acid, and lysophospholipids, which contribute to the development of the tumor microenvironment (TME), promoting immune evasion, angiogenesis, tumor growth, and invasiveness. The mechanisms mediated by PLA2 are not fully understood, especially because an important inhibitory molecule, Annexin A1, is present in the TME but does not exert its action. Here, we will discuss how Annexin A1 in cancer does not inhibit PLA2 leading to both pro-inflammatory Citation: Vecchi, L.; Araújo, T.G.; and pro-tumoral signaling pathways. Moreover, Annexin A1 promotes the release of cancer-derived Azevedo, F.V.P.d.V.; Mota, S.T.S.; exosomes, which also lead to the enrichment of PLA2 and COX-1 and COX-2 enzymes, contributing Ávila, V.d.M.R.; Ribeiro, M.A.; to TME formation.