IL-1RA suppresses esophageal cancer cell growth by blocking IL-1α

Background Interleukin-1 promotes tumor angiogenesis through VEGF production. The interleukin-1 receptor antagonist can suppress tumors by blocking this effect. Methods Immunohistochemistry, WB, and gene sequencing were used to analyze the expression of IL-1RA in esophageal cancer patients. WB was used to detect the expression of IL-1RA and interleukin-1 alpha in esophageal cancer cells. Stable ESCC cell models overexpressing the IL-1RA were constructed. Their cell functions were tested, and their effects on VEGF were examined. Results IL-1RA is downregulated in primary EC tumors, and this downregulation of IL-1RA is closely related to TNM staging and survival prognosis. The overexpression of IL-1RA increased the proliferation of KYSE410 EC cells, which have a high level of IL-1 alpha expression. Overexpression of IL-1RA in KYSE410 cells promotes a decrease in the expression of VEGF-A. However, IL-1RA expression did not cause any changes in EC9706 cells with low IL-1 alpha expression. Conclusion IL-1RA acts as a tumor suppressor, and its deletion promotes tumor progression by increasing VEGF-A expression in ESCC.