The IL-18 antagonist IL-18-binding protein is produced in the human ovarian cancer microenvironment

Interleukin (IL)-18 is an immune-enhancing cytokine, which induces IFN-γ production, T-helper 1 responses, and antitumor effects. In turn, IFN-γ stimulates IL-18-binding protein production, which blocks IL-18 activity. In view of the potential use of IL-18 in epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) immunotherapy, here, we studied IL-18BP expression and its regulation by cytokines in EOC cells in vitro and in vivo.

Expression and production of IL-18BP in EOC cell lines, primary ovarian carcinomas, and the corresponding normal tissues, patients' serum, and ascites were investigated by immunochemistry, ELISA, screening of gene expression profiles, and reverse-transcription PCR.

Analysis of gene expression profiles revealed that IL18BP mRNA is increased in EOC tumors compared with normal ovary cells. Release of IL-18BP was detectable in EOC sera and to a greater extent in the ascites, indicating production at the tumor site. Indeed, immunochemical analyses on cells isolated from the ascites and on tumor sections indicated that IL-18BP is expressed in both tumor cells and tumor-associated leukocytes, which displayed a CD3-CD20-NKp46-CD13+CD14low phenotype. EOC cell lines do not constitutively express IL-18BP. However, its release is inducible both by IFN-γ stimulation in vitro and by xenotransplantation of EOC cells in immune-deficient mice, suggesting a role for the microenvironment. In vitro experiments and immunochemistry indicated that IL-27 is also involved in IL-18BP upregulation in EOC cell lines and primary cells through STAT1 activation. Together, these data indicate that IL-18BP, which is produced in EOC in response to microenvironmental factors, may inhibit endogenous or exogenous IL-18 activity.