In vitro activation of macrophages by a novel proteoglycan isolated from corms of Crocus sativus L.
Saffron corms contain a proteoglycan that is highly cytotoxic on human tumor cells. The present work was undertaken to study the possible immunomodulatory and anti-invasive properties of this compound. Non-cytotoxic concentrations of this glycoconjugate promoted significant macrophage activation, detected by the release of nitric oxide. A rapid activation of protein kinase C and NF-kappaB was obtained after proteoglycan treatment, which could explain the induction of nitric oxide synthase. Proteoglycan concentrations ranging from 10-1000 ng/ml specifically promoted apoptosis of macrophages, probably triggered by their activation. This molecule did not inhibit in vitro migration or invasion of human tumor cells. Altogether these results support a plausible immuno-modulating activity for this saffron Crocus compound.
Escribano
J
J
Sección de Biotecnología IDR, Universidad de Castilla-La Mancha, Albacete, Spain.
Díaz-Guerra
M J
MJ
Riese
H H
HH
Ontañón
J
J
García-Olmo
D
D
García-Olmo
D C
DC
Rubio
A
A
Fernández
J A
JA
D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic / Q000494:pharmacology*; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects; D002465:Cell Movement / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D019668:Liliaceae / Q000737:chemistry*; D008262:Macrophage Activation / Q000187:drug effects*; D016328:NF-kappa B / Q000378:metabolism; D009569:Nitric Oxide / Q000096:biosynthesis; D019001:Nitric Oxide Synthase / Q000096:biosynthesis; D052247:Nitric Oxide Synthase Type II; D011493:Protein Kinase C / Q000502:physiology; D011509:Proteoglycans / Q000494:pharmacology*; D014407:Tumor Cells, Cultured
D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic; D016328:NF-kappa B; D011509:Proteoglycans; D009569:Nitric Oxide; C496319:NOS2 protein, human; D019001:Nitric Oxide Synthase; D052247:Nitric Oxide Synthase Type II; D011493:Protein Kinase C