Regulation of vascular endothelial growth factor expression in human gastric cancer cells by interleukin-1β

Background Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), a dominant angiogenic factor in gastric cancer, is upregulated by cytokines in the tumor microenvironment. Interleukin-1β (IL-1β), a proinflammatory cytokine, has been shown to be proangiogenic in vivo, despite its not demonstrating angiogenic activity in vitro. We hypothesized that IL-1β regulates VEGF expression in human gastric cancer cells and investigated the mechanism by which this occurs. Methods We treated the TMK-1 human gastric cancer cell line with IL-1β for 1 to 24 hours, and then analyzed VEGF mRNA expression by Northern blotting and signaling intermediates by Western blotting. Signaling inhibitors were used to identify the dominant pathways involved in IL-1β induction of VEGF. VEGF promoter-luciferase constructs and transcription blockers were used to investigate the transcriptional regulation of VEGF by IL-1β. Results Treating TMK-1 cells with IL-1β increased VEGF mRNA levels and activated extracellular signal-regulated kinases 1 and 2 (Erk 1/2) and p38, but not Akt. Inhibitors of the Erk and p38 pathways blocked IL-1β induction of VEGF mRNA. Treating TMK-1 cells with IL-1β also increased VEGF promoter activity. VEGF transcriptional activity was found to depend on a 120-bp region just proximal to the transcription start site. Conclusions In human gastric cancer cells, IL-1β induced VEGF through Erk- and p38-dependent pathways; this induction of VEGF was transcriptionally regulated.