Activated Natural Killer Cells Mediate the Suppressive Effect of Interleukin-4 on Tumor Development via STAT6 Activation in an Atopic Condition Melanoma Model

• Main Authors: Dong Ju Son, Yu Yeon Jung, Mi Hee Park, Hye Lim Lee, Min Ji Song, Hwan-Soo Yoo, Dae Youn Hwang, Sang Bae Han, Jin Tae Hong
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier 2017-07-01
• Series: Neoplasia: An International Journal for Oncology Research
• Online Access: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1476558616303062

A protective effect of allergy for cancer has been suggested, but the results are somewhat conflicting, and the mechanism remains elusive. Interleukin-4 (IL-4) signaling has been identified as a potentially important pathway in the development of allergies and the suppression of cancer development. To evaluate the allergy responses in IL-4–mediated tumor development, we compared the growth of B16F10 melanoma cells in 4% phthalic anhydride (PA)-treated IL-4/Luc/CNS-1 transgenic mice (IL-4 mice) and acetone-olive oil (AOO)–treated IL-4 mice as a control for 3 weeks. Much higher allergic responses and natural killer (NK) and STAT6 activation were found in PA-treated IL-4 mice compared with AOO-treated IL-4 control mice. Tumor volume and weight showed an inverse association with the higher allergic response and were significantly reduced in the PA-treated IL-4 mice when compared with those of AOO-treated IL-4 control mice. Significantly higher activation of STAT6, as well as IL-4 and NK cell activation, was found in the tumor tissues of PA-treated IL-4 mice. Infiltration of immune cells and cytokine levels were also higher in the tumor tissues of PA-treated IL-4 mice. We further found that IL-4–activated NK-92MI cells showed increased anticancer effects in human melanoma cells. Overall, these results showed that allergy responses further accelerated the IL-4–induced inhibition of tumor development through the activation of STAT6 pathways.