title: Synergistic effect of Avemar on proinflammatory cytokine production and Ras-mediated cell activation.
abstract: Macrophages activated by lipopolysaccharide and/or phorbol esters exhibited high sensitivity to Avemar, a fermented wheat germ extract. Avemar synergized with lipopolysaccharide and PMA in the induction of the transcription of cytokine genes and release of inflammatory cytokines. At higher concentrations the preparation had a significant negative effect on the proliferation and survival of activated myeloid cell types. Avemar treatment induced the synthesis of ICAM-1 and synergized with the ICAM-inducing effect of TNF, but had no effect on VCAM-1 expression on microvascular endothelial cells. The effect of Avemar on signaling pathways, which are involved in cell activation was studied on HeLa cells as a model system. Avemar treatment increased the activity of stress kinases in a concentration-dependent way, resulting in the activation of AP-1 transcription factor. NF-kappa B-sensitive reporters were also activated by Avemar; in contrast, no effect of the preparation was observed on PKA-sensitive signaling pathways.
authors.affiliation: Chemotherapy Day-Ward Unit, National Institute of Oncology, Ráth György u. 7-9, 1122 Budapest, Hungary. telekes@oncol.hu
authors.forename: András
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Telekes
authors.forename: Endre
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Kiss-Tóth
authors.forename: Tünde
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Nagy
authors.forename: Eva E
authors.initials: EE
authors.lastname: Qwarnstrom
authors.forename: Erzsébet
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Kúsz
authors.forename: Timea
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Polgár
authors.forename: Akos
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Resetár
authors.forename: Steven K
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: Dower
authors.forename: Erno
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Duda
mesh_terms: D002460:Cell Line; D049109:Cell Proliferation / Q000187:drug effects; D002470:Cell Survival / Q000187:drug effects; D016207:Cytokines / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics; D004357:Drug Synergism; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D018799:Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1 / Q000096:biosynthesis; D008070:Lipopolysaccharides / Q000494:pharmacology; D016328:NF-kappa B / Q000378:metabolism; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000494:pharmacology*; D016283:Proto-Oncogene Proteins p21(ras) / Q000502:physiology*; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000187:drug effects; D013755:Tetradecanoylphorbol Acetate / Q000494:pharmacology; D018808:Transcription Factor AP-1 / Q000378:metabolism; D019010:Vascular Cell Adhesion Molecule-1 / Q000096:biosynthesis
chemical_list: C113915:Avemar; D016207:Cytokines; D008070:Lipopolysaccharides; D016328:NF-kappa B; D010936:Plant Extracts; D018808:Transcription Factor AP-1; D019010:Vascular Cell Adhesion Molecule-1; D018799:Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1; D016283:Proto-Oncogene Proteins p21(ras); D013755:Tetradecanoylphorbol Acetate