Fig. 7

A schematic model of the tumor-promoting functions of IL-1Ra in PDA. Tumor cell-derived IL-1Ra creates an immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment (TME, blue) that inhibits immunogenic anti-cancer functions. The IL-1Ra inhibits T cells and APCs activities, and maintains immunosuppressive mononuclear cells (CD11b⁺Ly6G⁻). Interruption of IL-1Ra disrupts the immunosuppression, preventing the localization of CD11b⁺Ly6G⁻ cells and inducing inflammatory anti-tumor immune responses in the TME (red). Thus, APCs can successfully coordinate the signals from CD4⁺ T helper and lead to anti-tumor activation of CTLs. Th: T helper cells. CTLs: CD8⁺ cytotoxic T-cell lymphocytes. APCs: antigen-presenting cells. KO: gene knockout