IL-4 and IL-17A Cooperatively Promote Hydrogen Peroxide Production, Oxidative DNA Damage, and Upregulation of Dual Oxidase 2 in Human Colon and Pancreatic Cancer Cells

J Immunol. 2019 Nov 1;203(9):2532-2544. doi: 10.4049/jimmunol.1800469. Epub 2019 Sep 23.

Abstract

Dual oxidase 2 (DUOX2) generates H2O2 that plays a critical role in both host defense and chronic inflammation. Previously, we demonstrated that the proinflammatory mediators IFN-γ and LPS enhance expression of DUOX2 and its maturation factor DUOXA2 through STAT1- and NF-κB‒mediated signaling in human pancreatic cancer cells. Using a panel of colon and pancreatic cancer cell lines, we now report the induction of DUOX2/DUOXA2 mRNA and protein expression by the TH2 cytokine IL-4. IL-4 activated STAT6 signaling that, when silenced, significantly decreased induction of DUOX2. Furthermore, the TH17 cytokine IL-17A combined synergistically with IL-4 to increase DUOX2 expression in both colon and pancreatic cancer cells mediated, at least in part, by signaling through NF-κB. The upregulation of DUOX2 was associated with a significant increase in the production of extracellular H2O2 and DNA damage-as indicated by the accumulation of 8-oxo-dG and γH2AX-which was suppressed by the NADPH oxidase inhibitor diphenylene iodonium and a DUOX2-specific small interfering RNA. The clinical relevance of these experiments is suggested by immunohistochemical, microarray, and quantitative RT-PCR studies of human colon and pancreatic tumors demonstrating significantly higher DUOX2, IL-4R, and IL-17RA expression in tumors than in adjacent normal tissues; in pancreatic adenocarcinoma, increased DUOX2 expression is adversely associated with overall patient survival. These data suggest a functional association between DUOX2-mediated H2O2 production and induced DNA damage in gastrointestinal malignancies.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Intramural

MeSH terms

  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Colonic Neoplasms / metabolism*
  • Colonic Neoplasms / pathology
  • DNA Damage*
  • Dual Oxidases / genetics*
  • Humans
  • Hydrogen Peroxide / metabolism*
  • Interleukin-17 / pharmacology*
  • Interleukin-4 / pharmacology*
  • NF-kappa B / physiology
  • Oxidation-Reduction
  • Pancreatic Neoplasms / metabolism*
  • Pancreatic Neoplasms / pathology
  • Receptors, Interleukin-4 / physiology
  • STAT6 Transcription Factor / physiology
  • Signal Transduction
  • Up-Regulation

Substances

  • IL17A protein, human
  • Interleukin-17
  • NF-kappa B
  • Receptors, Interleukin-4
  • STAT6 Transcription Factor
  • STAT6 protein, human
  • Interleukin-4
  • Hydrogen Peroxide
  • Dual Oxidases
  • DUOX2 protein, human