Objective: To investigate the antitumor mechanism of interleukin-2 (IL-2) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) gene therapy.
Methods: IL-2 DNA liposome and IL-6 DNA liposome were i. p injected into EL-4 lymphoma-bearing mice. The function of macrophages from the mice was assayed.
Results: The cytotoxicity, the MHC Ia expression and IL-1 and TNF secretion of the macrophage were all augmented after i.p injection of IL-2 or IL-6 DNA liposomes, and more efficient activation was observed in the mice treated with IL-2 DNA liposome. IL-2 combined with IL-6 gene therapy showed the maximal activation of macrophages from the lymphoma-bearing mice.
Conclusion: IL-2 and IL-6 gene therapy can relieve the suppression of macrophages of the lymphoma-bearing mice, and activate the antitumor immune responses efficiently.