A polysaccharide-protein complex from Lycium barbarum upregulates cytokine expression in human peripheral blood mononuclear cells.
The production of cytokine is a key event in the initiation and regulation of an immune response. Many compounds are now used routinely to modulate cytokine production, and therefore the immune response, in a wide range of diseases, such as cancer. Interleukin-2 and tumor necrosis factor-alpha are two important cytokines in antitumor immunity. In this study, the effects of Lycium barbarum polysaccharide-protein complex (LBP(3p)) on the expression of interleukin-2 and tumor necrosis factor-alpha in human peripheral blood mononuclear cells were investigated by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and bioassay. Administration of LBP(3p) increased the expression of interleukin-2 and tumor necrosis factor-alpha at both mRNA and protein levels in a dose-dependent manner. The results suggest that LBP(3p) may induce immune responses and possess potential therapeutic efficacy in cancer.
Gan
Lu
L
Institute of Pharmacy, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430074, People's Republic of China. ganlu07@163.com
Zhang
Sheng-Hua
SH
Liu
Qiong
Q
Xu
Hui-Bi
HB
D016207:Cytokines / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D007963:Leukocytes, Mononuclear / Q000378:metabolism*; D032305:Lycium / Q000378:metabolism*; D010940:Plant Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D011134:Polysaccharides / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D015854:Up-Regulation / Q000502:physiology*
D016207:Cytokines; D010940:Plant Proteins; D011134:Polysaccharides