Interleukin-33 acts as a pro-inflammatory cytokine and modulates its receptor gene expression in highly metastatic human pancreatic carcinoma cells

► IL-33 and IL-1 counter-regulated ST2 and ST2L mRNA expression in Colo357. ► IL-1and IL-3 up-regulated IL-33 mRNA expression while IL-12 down-regulated IL-33 mRNA. ► IL-33 and IL-1 synergistically up-regulated secretion of pro-inflammatory IL-6. ► IL-33 enhanced spontaneous IL-8 release, it did not affect IL-1-induced IL-8 export. ► IL-33/IL-1 effects on cytokine production seem to be mediated via NF-κB activation.