title: Halofuginone inhibits NF-kappaB and p38 MAPK in activated T cells.
abstract: Halofuginone, a low molecular weight plant alkaloid, inhibits collagen alpha1 (I) gene expression in several animal models and in patients with fibrotic disease, including scleroderma and graft-versus-host disease. In addition, halofuginone has been shown to inhibit angiogenesis and tumor progression. It was demonstrated recently that halofuginone inhibits transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta), an important immunomodulator. The present study was undertaken to explore the effects of halofuginone on activated T cells. Peripheral blood T cells were activated by anti-CD3 monoclonal antibodies in the absence and presence of halofuginone and assessed for nuclear factor (NF)-kappaB activity, production of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) and interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma), T cell apoptosis, chemotaxis, and phosphorylation of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK). A delayed-type hypersensitivity (DTH) model was applied to investigate the effect of halofuginone on T cells in vivo. Preincubation of activated peripheral blood T cells with 10-40 ng/ml halofuginone resulted in a significant dose-dependent decrease in NF-kappaB activity (80% inhibition following incubation with 40 ng halofuginone, P = 0.002). In addition, 40 ng/ml halofuginone inhibited secretion of TNF-alpha, IFN-gamma, interleukin (IL)-4, IL-13, and TGF-beta (P < 0.005). Similarly, halofuginone inhibited the phosphorylation of p38 MAPK and apoptosis in activated T cells (P = 0.0001 and 0.005, respectively). In contrast, T cell chemotaxis was not affected. Halofuginone inhibited DTH response in mice, indicating suppression of T cell-mediated inflammation in vivo. Halofuginone inhibits activated peripheral blood T cell functions and proinflammatory cytokine production through inhibition of NF-kappaB activation and p38 MAPK phosphorylation. It also inhibited DTH response in vivo, making it an attractive immunomodulator and anti-inflammatory agent.
authors.affiliation: The Division of Hematology and Bone Marrow Transplantation, Chaim Sheba Medical Center, Tel-Hashomer, and Sackler Medical School, Tel Aviv University, Isreal.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Leiba
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Cahalon
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Shimoni
authors.forename: O
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Lider
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Zanin-Zhorov
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Hecht
authors.forename: U
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Sela
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Vlodavsky
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Nagler
mesh_terms: D017209:Apoptosis; D002633:Chemotaxis; D016207:Cytokines / Q000276:immunology; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D006801:Humans; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation; D016328:NF-kappa B / Q000378:metabolism*; D010766:Phosphorylation; D010880:Piperidines; D011799:Quinazolines / Q000494:pharmacology*; D052999:Quinazolinones; D015398:Signal Transduction; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000502:physiology; D048051:p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D016207:Cytokines; D016328:NF-kappa B; D010880:Piperidines; D011799:Quinazolines; D052999:Quinazolinones; D048051:p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases; C010176:halofuginone