IL-1β promotes proliferation and migration of gallbladder cancer cells via Twist activation

Increasing evidence has revealed a correlation between chronic inflammation and gallbladder cancer (GBC). However, the underlying molecular mechanisms remain to be elucidated. In the present study, secretion of interleukin (IL)-1β was examined in tissues of GBC, chronic cholecystitis and normal gallbladder, as well as in the supernatant of GBC-SD, SGC996 and HIBEpiC cells. The effect of IL-1β on the proliferation and migration of GBC cell lines was also evaluated. In addition, the role of Twist in IL-1β-induced proliferation of GBC cells was also studied. It was observed that the level of IL-1β protein in normal gallbladder tissue was low, while it was significantly increased in GBC and chronic cholecystitis tissues. The level of IL-1β protein and mRNA in GBC-SD and SGC996 cells was markedly higher than those in HIBEpiC cells. Exogenous IL-1β promoted the proliferation of GBC-SD and SGC996 cells in vitro and in vivo, and also promoted migration in vitro. The level of Twist protein was significantly increased following treatment with exogenous IL-1β. In addition, gene silencing of Twist blocked IL-1β-induced proliferation and migration of GBC-SD and SGC996 cells. Taken together, these results indicate that IL-1β promotes proliferation and migration of GBC cells via Twist activation.