Differential regulation of gastric tumor growth by cytokines that signal exclusively through the coreceptor gp130

Abstract

Background & Aims: We have shown that mice with a mutation in gp130 (gp130757F/F), the signal transducing receptor for interleukin (IL)-6 family cytokines, have chronic gastric inflammation and develop distal stomach tumors associated with deregulated phosphorylated STAT3 expression. This model recapitulates many characteristics of intestinal-type gastric cancer in humans. Methods: To evaluate the role of IL-6 and IL-11 as ligands regulating tumor growth and submucosal invasion, we compared tumor characteristics of gp130 757F/F mice with gp130757F/F mice lacking IL-6 or mature T and B cells. Results: As a result of the gp130757F/F mutation, expression of IL-6 and IL-11 was greatly up-regulat..