The molecular pathogenesis of STAT3-driven gastric tumourigenesis in mice is independent of IL-17

Chronic activation of the gastric mucosal adaptive immune response is a characteristic trait of gastric cancer. It has recently emerged that a new class of T helper (Th) cells, defined by their ability to produce interleukin (IL)-17A (Th17), is associated with a host of inflammatory responses, including gastritis. However, the role of these Th17 cells in the pathogenesis of gastric cancer is less clear. To formally address this, we employed gp130F/F mice, which spontaneously develop gastric inflammation-associated tumours akin to human intestinal-type gastric cancer. At the molecular level, these tumours demonstrate hyper-activation of the latent transcription factor signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT)3 via the IL-6 cytokine family member, IL-11. In gp130F/F mice, the generation of Th17 cells, as well as the gastric expression of IL-17a and other Th17-related factors (Rort, IL-23), were augmented compared to wild-type gp130+/+ mice. Consistent with a role for IL-6 and STAT3 in regulating IL-17A, increased Th17 generation and gastric expression of Th17-related factors in gp130F/F mice were reduced to wild-type levels in gp130F/F:Stat3?/+ mice displaying normalized STAT3 activity, and also in gp130F/F:IL-6?/? mice. Importantly, genetic ablation of IL-17A in gp130F/F:IL-17a?/? mice did not suppress the initiation and growth of gastric tumours. Furthermore, IL-17A and RORC gene expression was strongly increased in human gastric biopsies from patients with gastritis, but not gastric cancer. Collectively, our data suggest that increased expression of Th17-related factors does not correlate with the molecular pathogenesis of gastric tumourigenesis.