AhR- and NF-κB-dependent induction of interleukin-6 by co-exposure to the environmental contaminant benzanthracene and the cytokine tumor necrosis factor-α in human mammary MCF-7 cells

► Regulation of IL-6 by co-exposure to benzanthacene (BZA) and TNF-α was studied. ► BZA/TNF-α induced mRNA expression and secretion of IL-6 in breast cancer MCF-7 cells. ► This IL-6 up-regulation requires aryl hydrocarbon receptor. ► The NF-κB signaling way is also involved. ► BZA/TNF-α-related induction of IL-6 may contribute to tumorigenicity of BZA.