We have previously demonstrated that fibronectin (Fn) stimulates the proliferation of non-small cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC) cell growth through the induction of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) and prostaglandin E 2 secretion. Here, we demonstrate that NSCLC cells express mRNA and protein for the prostaglandin E 2 receptor EP4 and that Fn enhances its stimulatory effect by inducing the expression of EP4, but not of EP1, EP2, and EP3 receptor subtypes. The effect of Fn on EP4 was inhibited by an antibody against ␣51 integrin and by inhibitors of phosphoinositide 3-kinase (wortmannin) and extracellular signal-regulated kinase (PD98095), but not by inhibitors of protein kinase C (calphostin C), of protein kinase A (H-89), or of mammalian target of rapamycin (rapamycin). A COX-2 small interfering RNA was also inhibitory. Fn significantly increased AP-2 binding activity in the promoter of the EP4 gene, and AP-2 antisense oligonucleotides blocked Fn-induced EP4 expression. Using full-length and mutated EP4 promoter constructs, we found that Fn stimulation of EP4 gene expression was inhibited when one AP-2 site (؊1000 bp) was mutated. Fn induced nuclear AP-2␣ protein expression through multiple signaling pathways. Our results indicate that Fn-induced NSCLC cell proliferation is mediated through EP4. Furthermore, they show that Fn induces EP4 expression through the activation of ␣51-dependent signals that include induction of extracellular signalregulated kinase and phosphoinositide 3-kinase pathways as well as expression of COX-2. These events lead to activation of the transcription factor AP-2␣, which interacts with specific regions in the EP4 gene promoter, leading to transcription of the EP4 gene.Extracellular matrix proteins are considered to play roles in the migration and differentiation of various cells, including carcinoma cells. Fibronectin (Fn), 2 a matrix glycoprotein highly expressed in tobacco-related lung diseases, has been shown to stimulate carcinoma cell growth, including lung carcinoma (1-3). We previously reported that Fn stimulated human lung carcinoma cell growth through induction of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) signaling and subsequent production of prostaglandin E 2 (PGE 2 ) (4). High PGE 2 levels are considered important in carcinoma growth and progression, and inhibition of PGE 2 synthesis blocks growth of carcinoma cells (5). The effect of PGE 2 has been attributed to its known capacity to bind to its receptors, designated EP1, EP2, EP3, and EP4 (6). These receptors have been implicated in carcinoma cell growth and progression (5,7,8,9). PGE 2 , acting via EP4, contributes to tumor growth and progression of gallbladder and colorectal carcinoma (7,8). A recent study of EP4 knock-out mice suggested a role for EP4 receptor in colon carcinoma (7). PGE 2 and its signaling through the EP4 receptor have been shown to mediate non-small cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC) invasiveness (10). Taken together, these observations suggest that manipulation of prostaglandin metabolism downstream from COX-2 produces more profou...