Abstract
Poly(I:C) is a promising adjuvant for cancer treatment vaccines to enhance the host anti-tumour immune response. However, the roles of poly(I:C) in the cervical cancer microenvironment and local immune reactions are not well understood. In this study, we investigated the roles of poly(I:C) in the cervical cancer. We analysed the cytokine transcription and secretion of cervical cancer cell lines and THP-1-derived macrophages after poly(I:C) treatment, respectively. These results revealed that IL-6 was significantly up-regulated, and this up-regulation was partly dose dependent. poly(I:C)-stimulated supernatant of cervical cancer cells promoted M1-type cytokine IL-1β and IL-6 expression of THP-1-derived macrophages, but inhibited the expression of M2-type cytokine, IL-10 and CCL22. The recruitment of THP-1-derived macrophages by poly(I:C)-stimulated cervical cancer cell supernatant was also enhanced. Inhibition of IL-6 expression in cervical cancer cells by siRNA transfection almost completely reversed the effects of poly(I:C) treatment. Finally, we found that phosphorylation of the NF-κB signalling pathway in cervical cancer cells occurred quickly after poly(I:C) treatment. Moreover, the NF-κB signalling pathway inhibitor PDTC significantly inhibited poly(I:C)-induced IL-6 expression. Taken together, these results suggest that poly(I:C) might regulate the effects of cervical cancer cells on tumour-infiltrated macrophages, and subsequently promote a pro-inflammatory tumour microenvironment.