title: Yam storage protein dioscorins from Dioscorea alata and Dioscorea japonica exhibit distinct immunomodulatory activities in mice.
abstract: The aim of this study was to elucidate the effect of the major storage protein dioscorin isolated from two different yam species, Tainong No. 1 (TN1-dioscorins) and Japanese yam (Dj-dioscorins), on the immune activities of mice. Dj-dioscorins, like TN1-dioscorins, could induce expression of the pro-inflammatory cytokines and stimulate phagocytosis of RAW 264.7. Intraperitoneal injection of the TN1-dioscorins into mice stimulated phagocytosis of bone marrow, spleen, and thymic cells. In contrast, the T and B cells in bone marrow, spleen, and thymus isolated from mice injected with Dj-dioscorins had higher proliferative responses to mitogens. Furthermore, Dj-dioscorins enhanced proliferation of CD4(+), CD8(+), and Tim3(+) (Th1) cells in spleen and CD19(+) cells in both spleen and thymus. Supplement of Dj-dioscorins in the lymphoid cells isolated from Dj-dioscorins primed mice induced cell proliferation of both spleen and thymic cells. These findings indicated that TN1-dioscorins have a higher ability to stimulate the phagocytic activity of the lymphoid cells than Dj-dioscorins, whereas Dj-dioscorins possess more abilities than TN1-dioscorins to enhance the proliferation of the lymphoid cells.
authors.affiliation: Department of Life Science and Institute of Biotechnology, National Dong Hwa University, Hualien County 974, Taiwan, Republic of China.
authors.forename: Pei-Lan
authors.initials: PL
authors.lastname: Lin
authors.forename: Kuo-Wei
authors.initials: KW
authors.lastname: Lin
authors.forename: Ching-Feng
authors.initials: CF
authors.lastname: Weng
authors.forename: Kuo-Chih
authors.initials: KC
authors.lastname: Lin
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology; D049109:Cell Proliferation; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D016207:Cytokines / Q000276:immunology; D027742:Dioscorea / Q000737:chemistry*; D007155:Immunologic Factors / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D010587:Phagocytosis; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000276:immunology; D010940:Plant Proteins / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000276:immunology*; D013154:Spleen / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology; D013950:Thymus Gland / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology
chemical_list: D016207:Cytokines; D007155:Immunologic Factors; D010936:Plant Extracts; D010940:Plant Proteins