Abstract
Interferon alpha (IFNα) is widely used for treatment of melanoma and certain other malignancies. This cytokine as well as the related IFNΒ exerts potent anti-tumorigenic effects; however, their efficacy in patients is often suboptimal. Here, we report that inflammatory signaling impedes the effects of IFNα/Β. Melanoma cells can secrete pro-inflammatory cytokines that inhibit cellular responses to IFNα/Β via activating the ligand-independent pathway for the phosphorylation and subsequent ubiquitination and accelerated degradation of the IFNAR1 chain of type I IFN receptor. Catalytic activity of the p38 protein kinase was required for IFNAR1 downregulation and inhibition of IFNα/Β signaling induced by proinflammatory cytokines such as interleukin 1 (IL-1). Activation of p38 kinase inversely correlated with protein levels of IFNAR1 in clinical melanoma specimens. Inhibition of p38 kinase augmented the inhibitory effects of IFNα/Β on cell viability and growth in vitro and in vivo. The roles of inflammation and p38 protein kinase in regulating cellular responses to IFNα/Β in normal and tumor cells are discussed.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 161-172 |
Number of pages | 12 |
Journal | Oncogene |
Volume | 31 |
Issue number | 2 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Jan 12 2012 |
Externally published | Yes |
Keywords
- cancer
- inflammation
- interferon
- melanoma
- receptor
- ubiquitin
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Molecular Biology
- Genetics
- Cancer Research