Molecular immunology
-
Molecular immunology · Apr 2020
Interleukin-37 suppresses hepatocellular carcinoma growth through inhibiting M2 polarization of tumor-associated macrophages.
Interleukin (IL)-37 has anti-tumor effects in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Evidence shows that tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) promote tumor progression. This study was designed to investigate the functional role of IL-37-mediated polarization of TAMs in HCC progression. ⋯ Moreover, IL-6 upregulation by recombinant human IL-6 (rhIL-6) blocked the IL-37 overexpression-mediated inhibition of HCC cell proliferation, migration, and invasion. In addition, IL-37 overexpression in HCC patient-derived TAMs inhibited tumor growth in vivo. Collectively, IL-37 suppresses HCC growth through inhibiting M2 polarization of TAMs via regulating the IL-6/STAT3 pathway.