title: beta-Carotene and beta-cryptoxanthin but not lutein evoke redox and immune changes in RAW264 murine macrophages.
abstract: The mechanism of immunological benefits induced by carotenoids has not been fully elucidated. Here, we investigated some of the immunity-related properties of beta-carotene and two other carotenoids, beta-cryptoxanthin, and lutein, on the murine macrophages cell line RAW264. beta-Carotene added to the culture medium accumulated in the cells in a time- and dose-dependent manner. The accumulation was positively correlated with cellular lipid peroxidation, demonstrating the pro-oxidative activity of beta-carotene, and also with the synthesis of glutathione, an intracellular antioxidant. Conversely, accumulation of beta-carotene was negatively correlated with the transcription of immune-active molecules, such as IL-1beta, IL-6, and IL-12 p40, in cells stimulated by LPS and INF-gamma. The transcription of the pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-1beta and IL-6 was more sensitive to the accumulation of beta-carotene than was IL-12 p40. The accumulation of beta-cryptoxanthin in cells resulted in effects similar to those of beta-carotene. However, lutein accumulated minimally and did not significantly affect the cells. These results demonstrate that beta-carotene, and beta-cryptoxanthin as well, can accumulate in RAW264 cells and induce changes in intracellular redox status, which in turn regulate the immune function of macrophages.
authors.affiliation: Department of Food Science, The University of Tokushima, Japan.
authors.forename: Sakurako
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Katsuura
authors.forename: Tomomi
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Imamura
authors.forename: Noriko
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Bando
authors.forename: Rintaro
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Yamanishi
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D065366:Cryptoxanthins; D005978:Glutathione / Q000032:analysis; D019803:Glutathione Disulfide / Q000032:analysis; D015227:Lipid Peroxidation / Q000187:drug effects; D014975:Lutein / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008264:Macrophages / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D051379:Mice; D010084:Oxidation-Reduction; D024341:Xanthophylls / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology*; D019207:beta Carotene / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology*
chemical_list: D065366:Cryptoxanthins; D024341:Xanthophylls; D019207:beta Carotene; D005978:Glutathione; D019803:Glutathione Disulfide; D014975:Lutein