Genomics and proteomics of immune modulatory effects of a butanol fraction of echinacea purpurea in human dendritic cells.
BACKGROUND
Echinacea spp. extracts and the derived phytocompounds have been shown to induce specific immune cell activities and are popularly used as food supplements or nutraceuticals for immuno-modulatory functions. Dendritic cells (DCs), the most potent antigen presenting cells, play an important role in both innate and adaptive immunities. In this study, we investigated the specific and differential gene expression in human immature DCs (iDCs) in response to treatment with a butanol fraction containing defined bioactive phytocompounds extracted from stems and leaves of Echinacea purpurea, that we denoted [BF/S+L/Ep].


RESULTS
Affymetrix DNA microarray results showed significant up regulation of specific genes for cytokines (IL-8, IL-1beta, and IL-18) and chemokines (CXCL 2, CCL 5, and CCL 2) within 4 h after [BF/S+L/Ep] treatment of iDCs. Bioinformatics analysis of genes expressed in [BF/S+L/Ep]-treated DCs revealed a key-signaling network involving a number of immune-modulatory molecules leading to the activation of a downstream molecule, adenylate cyclase 8. Proteomic analysis showed increased expression of antioxidant and cytoskeletal proteins after treatment with [BF/S+L/Ep] and cichoric acid.


CONCLUSIONS
This study provides information on candidate target molecules and molecular signaling mechanisms for future systematic research into the immune-modulatory activities of an important traditional medicinal herb and its derived phytocompounds.
Agricultural Biotechnology Research Center, Academia Sinica, Taipei 115, Taiwan. sally@mail.biowell.com.tw
Chien-Yu
CY
Wang
Vanisree
V
Staniforth
Ming-Tsang
MT
Chiao
Chia-Chung
CC
Hou
Han-Ming
HM
Wu
Kuo-Chen
KC
Yeh
Chun-Houh
CH
Chen
Pei-Ing
PI
Hwang
Tuan-Nan
TN
Wen
Lie-Fen
LF
Shyur
Ning-Sun
NS
Yang
D000440:Butanols / Q000737:chemistry; D002109:Caffeic Acids / Q000494:pharmacology; D018925:Chemokines / Q000235:genetics; D019295:Computational Biology; D016207:Cytokines / Q000235:genetics; D003598:Cytoskeletal Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D003713:Dendritic Cells / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism*; D020900:Echinacea / Q000737:chemistry*; D015870:Gene Expression / Q000187:drug effects; D020869:Gene Expression Profiling; D023281:Genomics / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D015394:Molecular Structure; D020411:Oligonucleotide Array Sequence Analysis; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*; D018515:Plant Leaves / Q000737:chemistry; D018547:Plant Stems / Q000737:chemistry; D040901:Proteomics / Q000379:methods*; D013386:Succinates / Q000494:pharmacology
D000440:Butanols; D002109:Caffeic Acids; D018925:Chemokines; D016207:Cytokines; D003598:Cytoskeletal Proteins; D010936:Plant Extracts; D013386:Succinates; C100435:chicoric acid