Interleukin-1β increases the risk of gastric cancer through induction of aberrant DNA methylation in a mouse model

Interleukin-1β (IL-1β) has a significant role in chronic gastric inflammation and manifestations of gastric diseases. The present study aimed to elucidate the specific role of IL-1β in induction of DNA methylation using IL-1 receptor type 1 knockout (IL-1R1−/−) mice. In the present study, wild-type (WT) and IL-1R1−/− mice were injected with IL-1β (5 µg/kg/day). Serum levels of IL-1β, interleukin-6 (IL-6) and nitric oxide (NO) were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent or NO assays. E-cadherin (E-cad) methylation status and messenger (m)RNA expression of IL-1β, IL-6, E-cad and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) were analyzed. Results from the present study indicated significantly higher IL-1β mRNA expression (P