The flavonoid Kaempferol suppresses the graft-versus-host reaction by inhibiting type 1 cytokine production and CD8+ T cell engraftment.
We have here examined the immunoregulatory effects of a natural flavonoid, Kaempferol, on T cells. Kaempferol suppressed IFN-gamma and IL-2 production but not that of IL-4 by T cells and shifted the Th1/Th2 balance into the Th2 phenotype. In C57BL/6 anti-BDF1 MLC, Kaempferol inhibited the development and expansion of type 1 effector CD8+ T cells and diminished allospecific CTL activity. Based on these in vitro results, we evaluated the effects of Kaempferol treatment on the development of C57BL/6-into-BDF1 acute graft-versus-host disease (GVHD). Brief administration of Kaempferol led to early recovery from body weight loss, increased survival, and reduced tissue injury in the liver and large intestine. Kaempferol treatment activated Th2 cells and the engraftment of donor cells and also diminished GVHD-associated antihost CTL activity. Thus, our study indicates that Kaempferol has the capacity to modulate the Th1/Th2 balance and could be useful for the treatment of cell-mediated immune diseases, such as acute GVHD.
Okamoto
Iwao
I
Fujisaki Institute, Hayashibara Biochemical Laboratories, Incorporated, Japan.
Iwaki
Kanso
K
Koya-Miyata
Satomi
S
Tanimoto
Tadao
T
Kohno
Keizo
K
Ikeda
Masao
M
Kurimoto
Masashi
M
D000818:Animals; D015496:CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology; D018414:CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000276:immunology; D016207:Cytokines / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D005260:Female; D005419:Flavonoids; D006086:Graft vs Host Disease / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology / Q000517:prevention & control; D006087:Graft vs Host Reaction / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000276:immunology; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D044949:Kaempferols; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation / Q000187:drug effects; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D008811:Mice, Inbred DBA; D011794:Quercetin / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000494:pharmacology*; D013154:Spleen / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology / Q000637:transplantation; D013602:T-Lymphocytes, Cytotoxic / Q000187:drug effects; D018417:Th1 Cells / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology; D018418:Th2 Cells / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology; D014184:Transplantation, Homologous
D016207:Cytokines; D005419:Flavonoids; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D044949:Kaempferols; C006552:kaempferol; D011794:Quercetin