Polyphenolic antioxidants enhance IgE production.
Epidemiological data showed that total IgE and IL-4 levels in cigarette smokers were elevated, comparable to those in the asthmatics. The etiological agent(s) elevating IgE production are not clear. We evaluate whether tobacco polyphenols potentiate IgE production in a rodent model. Mice were fed with rutin or CGA in drinking water during antigen sensitization, followed by antigenic challenge i.p. in alum. CGA and rutin were also delivered in a bolus intraperitoneally or intranasally along with antigens during immunization. Antigen-specific IgE and IgG responses were measured. Enhancement of total IgE responses via i.p. and drinking routes can be achieved at concentrations as low as 0.1% CGA. Furthermore, IgG1 responses but not IgG2a and IgG2b were augmented, indicating a Th2 type of response by CGA. Moreover, both antigen-specific and serum IgE production can be achieved when CGA and antigenic challenges were delivered intranasally in the absence of alum. In contrast, nicotine does not enhance antigen-specific IgE production, and only marginally affects serum IgE levels. The more polarized Th2 development in CGA-treated mice may account for enhancement of both antigen-specific and total IgE responses. High levels of IL-4 but not IFN-gamma or IL-12, were observed in antigen-challenged mesenteric lymph nodes (MLN) cultures from CGA-treated mice. In contrast, significant levels of IL-4, IL-12, and IFN-gamma were observed in antigen-challenged cultures from nicotine-treated mice. This study shows that tobacco polyphenols, CGA and rutin potentiated IgE production in vivo. Polyphenolic antioxidants enhance Th2 development. We propose that IgE production and T cell dichotomy may be critically influenced by the redox microenvironment. Enhanced Th2 development and IgE production henceforth may counteract more severe Th1-mediated tissue damage triggered by environmental oxidative stress.
Gong
Jian
J
Division of Allergy, La Jolla Institute for Allergy and Immunology, San Diego, California, USA.
Liu
Fu-Tong
FT
Chen
Swey-Shen
SS
D000818:Animals; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002726:Chlorogenic Acid / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000276:immunology / Q000494:pharmacology; D005260:Female; D005419:Flavonoids / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000276:immunology* / Q000494:pharmacology*; D007073:Immunoglobulin E / Q000097:blood* / Q000187:drug effects*; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D010636:Phenols / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000276:immunology* / Q000494:pharmacology*; D059808:Polyphenols; D012431:Rutin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000276:immunology / Q000494:pharmacology; D018418:Th2 Cells / Q000276:immunology; D014030:Tobacco, Smokeless / Q000737:chemistry
D000975:Antioxidants; D005419:Flavonoids; D010636:Phenols; D059808:Polyphenols; D002726:Chlorogenic Acid; D007073:Immunoglobulin E; D012431:Rutin