Figure 3. IL-1β is sufficient and required to protect cells from TRAIL-induced apoptosis.

A and B: HCT116 cells were cultured with THP1 macrophages with silenced IL-1β or STAT1 expression and were treated with TRAIL as indicated. IL-1β was neutralized by anti-IL-1β specific antibody. Pictures were taken (A) and the amount of apoptosis (B) was determined after 7 hours. Data shown in B represent the average of three independent experiments. C and D: Studies by Gyorffy et al ([29], C) and by Khambata-Ford et al ([30], D) were surveyed through Oncomine and indicate that cell lines (C) and primary colon cancers (D) with higher levels of IL-1βdisplay resistance to therapeutic agents, such as vinblastine, doxorubicin and cetuximab (CTX).