Type I IFN gene delivery suppresses regulatory T cells within tumors

Type I interferon (IFN) is a pleiotropic cytokine regulating the cancer cell death and immune response. IFN-α can, as we have also reported, effectively induce an antitumor immunity by the activation of tumor-specific T cells and maturation of dendritic cells in various animal models. Unknown, however, is how the type I IFN alters the immunotolerant microenvironment in the tumors. Here, we found that intratumoral IFN-α gene transfer significantly decreased the frequency of regulatory T cells (Tregs) per CD4(+) T cells in tumors. The concentration of a Treg-inhibitory cytokine, interleukin (IL)-6, was correlated with the IFN-α expression level in tumors, and intratumoral CD11c(+) cells produced IL-6 in response to IFN-α stimulation. To confirm the role of IL-6 in the suppression of Tregs in tumors, an anti-IL-6 receptor antibody was administered in IFN-α-treated mice. The antibody increased the frequency of Tregs in the tumors, and attenuated systemic tumor-specific immunity induced by IFN-α. Furthermore, the IFN-α-mediated IL-6 production increased the frequency of Th17 cells in the tumors, which may be one of the mechanisms for the reduction of Tregs. The study demonstrated that IFN-α gene delivery creates an environment strongly supporting the enhancement of antitumor immunity through the suppression of Tregs.