title: Neuroimmunomodulation of natural killer (NK) cells by ergot alkaloid derivatives.
abstract: Ergot alkaloids (EAs), products of Claviceps spp., are widely used in various fields of clinical medicine (neurology, psychiatry, endocrinology). In the present work we studied the neuroimmunomodulative effect of EAs on activation of NK cells and their signalling pathways. Furthermore, the killing capability of rat NK cells in vitro was examined in the presence of glycosidic derivatives of elymoclavine, agroclavine, and liposome-encapsulated EAs. The engagement of appropriate NK cell membrane receptors by EAs cause an indirect enhancement of adenylyl cyclase system through inhibition of G-protein al,2-subunit (up to 50 % of control values). All of the tested EAs enhanced the rat NK cell-mediated cytotoxic activity in vitro, particularly against target cells of astrocyte origin (C-6 glioma). The present results argue for a possible EA immunomodulatory role of cell-mediated immunity in tumour regression processes.
authors.affiliation: Department of Immunology, Institute of Microbiology, Prague, Czech Republic.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Fiserová
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Kovárů
authors.forename: Z
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Hajduová
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Mares
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Starec
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Kren
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Flieger
authors.lastname: Pospísil
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002455:Cell Division / Q000187:drug effects; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D002967:Claviceps; D003602:Cytotoxicity, Immunologic / Q000187:drug effects; D016503:Drug Delivery Systems; D004873:Ergolines / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology; D004876:Ergot Alkaloids / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006801:Humans; D007694:Killer Cells, Natural / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000276:immunology*; D008081:Liposomes; D051379:Mice; D009000:Monocytes / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects; D015213:Neuroimmunomodulation / Q000187:drug effects*; D009844:Oligosaccharides; D051381:Rats; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000187:drug effects; D014407:Tumor Cells, Cultured
chemical_list: D004873:Ergolines; D004876:Ergot Alkaloids; D008081:Liposomes; D009844:Oligosaccharides; C004465:agroclavine