Role of IL-33 and ST2 signaling and inflammatory responses in non-small cell lung cancer

Purpose: To investigate the role of the interleukin (IL)-33 and ST2 pathway in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), and to further explore the critical relationships among inflammation, immunity, and cancer. Methods: From January 2014 to December 2015, paraffin-embedded sections of surgical specimens were obtained from 40 patients definitively diagnosed with NSCLC by pathological examination in Changzhou Wujin People's Hospital and Taicang Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine. Sections were further immunostained with antibodies directed against IL-33 and ST2 cardiac biomarker. Inflammatory reactions were determined by hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining. Paracancerous control sample tissues were also collected. In addition, 60 primary NSCLC patients without any complications were enrolled, and 60 healthy volunteers were enrolled at the same institutions. Serum samples of patients were collected, and protein expressions of IL-33, ST2, IL-4, and interferon (IFN)-y were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) or western blot assay. Results: The results indicate that IL-33, ST2 and IL-4 expressions in cancer tissues and blood were significantly increased when compared with control groups. Conclusion: IL-33/ST2 in NSCLC microenvironment enhances T helper cell 2 (Th2) response, which may be beneficial for tumor growth.