Inhibition of intestinal tumors by curcumin is associated with changes in the intestinal immune cell profile.
BACKGROUND
The C57BL/6J-Min/+ (Min/+) mouse bears a germline mutation in Apc and is therefore a model for familial adenomatous polyposis and sporadic colorectal cancer. Min/+ intestinal mucosa exhibits a marked tendency for spontaneous adenoma formation. Curcumin is a phenolic antioxidant known for its antitumor and immune modulatory functions in vitro. Curcumin prevents adenoma formation in Min/+ mice, through a mechanism that may be related to its immunomodulatory properties.


METHODS
To study the relationship between intestinal immunity and curcumin-induced antitumor response, we used immunohistochemistry to characterize the effect of curcumin treatment on resident intestinal immune effector cells in Min/+ mice.


CONCLUSIONS
These results show that mucosal CD4(+) T cells and B cells increase in animals treated with curcumin, suggesting that curcumin modulates lymphocyte-mediated immune functions.
Churchill
M
M
Department of Surgery, The New York Presbyterian Hospital, New York, New York, USA.
Chadburn
A
A
Bilinski
R T
RT
Bertagnolli
M M
MM
D025601:Adenomatous Polyposis Coli Protein; D000818:Animals; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology; D018791:CD4 Lymphocyte Count / Q000187:drug effects; D015496:CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000473:pathology; D003474:Curcumin / Q000494:pharmacology*; D003598:Cytoskeletal Proteins / Q000235:genetics; D018095:Germ-Line Mutation; D007107:Immune System / Q000166:cytology* / Q000187:drug effects*; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D007413:Intestinal Mucosa / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology*; D007414:Intestinal Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics / Q000517:prevention & control*; D007422:Intestines / Q000166:cytology* / Q000187:drug effects*; D018655:Lymphocyte Count / Q000187:drug effects; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D008817:Mice, Mutant Strains / Q000235:genetics
D025601:Adenomatous Polyposis Coli Protein; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D003598:Cytoskeletal Proteins; D003474:Curcumin