The pro-inflammatory flammatory cytokines IL-1β and IL-6 promote upregulation of the ST6GAL1 sialyltransferase in pancreatic cancer cells

The ST6GAL1 sialyltransferase is overexpressed in multiple cancers, including pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). ST6GAL1 adds an alpha 2-6-linked sialic acid to N-glycosylated membrane receptors, which consequently modulates receptor structure and function. While many studies have investigated the effects of ST6GAL1 on cell phenotype, there is a dearth of knowledge regarding mechanisms that regulate ST6GAL1 expression. In the current study, we evaluated the regulation of ST6GAL1 by two pro-inflammatory cytokines, IL-1 beta and IL-6, which are abundant within the PDAC tumor microenvironment. Cytokine activity was monitored using the Suit-2 PDAC cell line and two Suit-2-derived metastatic subclones, S2-013 and S2-LM7AA. For all three cell models, treatment with IL-1 beta or IL-6 increased the expression of ST6GAL1 protein and mRNA. Specifically, IL-1 beta and IL-6 induced expression of the ST6GAL1 YZ mRNA isoform, which is driven by the P3 promoter. The ST6GAL1 H and X isoforms were not detected. Promoter reporter assays confirmed that IL-1 beta and IL-6 activated transcription from the P3 promoter. We then examined downstream signaling mechanisms. IL-1 beta is known to signal through the NF kappa B transcription factor, whereas IL-6 signals through the STAT3 transcription factor. CUT&RUN experiments revealed that IL-1 beta promoted the binding of NF kappa B to the ST6GAL1 P3 promoter, and IL-6 induced the binding of STAT3 to the P3 promoter. Finally, we determined that inhibitors of NF kappa B and STAT3 blocked the upregulation of ST6GAL1 stimulated by IL-1 beta and IL-6, respectively. Together, these results highlight a novel molecular pathway by which cytokines within the tumor microenvironment stimulate the upregulation of ST6GAL1 in PDAC cells.