title: Characterization of human monocyte activation by a water soluble preparation of Aphanizomenon flos-aquae.
abstract: Aphanizomenon flos-aquae (AFA) is a fresh-water microalgae that is consumed as a nutrient-dense food source and for its health-enhancing properties. The current research characterizes the effect of a water soluble preparation from AFA on human monocyte/macrophage function and compares the effect of AFA with responses from known agents that modulate the immune system. At 0.5 pg/ml the AFA extract robustly activated nuclear factor kappa B (NF-kappa B) directed luciferase expression in THP-1 human monocytic cells to levels at 50% of those achieved by maximal concentrations (10 microg/ml) of bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS). In addition, the AFA extract substantially increased mRNA levels of interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), and enhanced the DNA binding activity of NF-kappa B. The effects of AFA water soluble preparation were similar to the responses displayed by LPS, but clearly different from responses exhibited by tetradecanoyl phorbol acetate (TPA) and interferon-gamma (INF-gamma). Pretreatment of THP-1 monocytes with factors known to induce hyporesponsiveness suppressed both AFA-dependent and LPS-dependent activation. These results suggest that the macrophage-activating properties of the AFA water soluble preparation are mediated through pathways that are similar to LPS-dependent activation.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacognosy, Research Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, University of Mississippi, University 38677-1848, USA.
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Pugh
authors.forename: D S
authors.initials: DS
authors.lastname: Pasco
mesh_terms: D002457:Cell Extracts / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000458:Cyanobacteria; D016207:Cytokines / Q000235:genetics; D006801:Humans; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000235:genetics; D007375:Interleukin-1 / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D016753:Interleukin-10 / Q000494:pharmacology; D008070:Lipopolysaccharides / Q000494:pharmacology; D008264:Macrophages / Q000187:drug effects*; D009000:Monocytes / Q000187:drug effects*; D016328:NF-kappa B / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D011112:Polymyxin B / Q000494:pharmacology; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000187:drug effects / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D013755:Tetradecanoylphorbol Acetate / Q000494:pharmacology; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta / Q000494:pharmacology; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D002457:Cell Extracts; D016207:Cytokines; D007375:Interleukin-1; D008070:Lipopolysaccharides; D016328:NF-kappa B; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; D016753:Interleukin-10; D007371:Interferon-gamma; D011112:Polymyxin B; D013755:Tetradecanoylphorbol Acetate