To observe the influence of IL-4-activated macrophage on the invasion and migration of SW480 colon cancer cell, and investigate its possible mechanism.

Macrophages were activated by IL-4 and co-cultured with SW480 colon cancer cell. Flow cytometry was used to detect the apoptosis and cell cycle. Boyden chamber assay and wound healing assay were used to detect the migration and invasion of the SW480 colon cancer cell under the effects of differently activated macrophages. The concentration of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) of the co-cultured supernatant was detected by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA).

There were no significant differences of the percentages of apoptosis and S phase cancer cells in all groups. Boyden chamber assay and wound healing assays showed that the migration and invasion of cancer cells were significantly inhibited in group of co-cultured with the IL-4-activated macrophage than in other groups, P<0.05. The concentration of VEGF of the supernatant in IL-4-activated macrophage group was much lower than other groups, P<0.05.

IL-4-activated Macrophage inhibits the invasion and migration of SW480 colon cancer cell. The mechanism may be correlated with inhibiting VEGF secretion of SW480 cell.