title: Possible role of macrophages induced by an irridoid glycoside (RLJ-NE-299A) in host defense mechanism.
abstract: In order to explore the possible role of macrophages and other necessary immune competent (T and B) cells in the modulation of immune responses, an attempt was made to study the immunomodulatory effect of an irridoid glycoside (RLJ-NE-299A) isolated from the roots of Picrorhiza kurroa. Both in vitro and in vivo studies were used to evaluate the effect of RLJ-NE-299A on humoral, cellular, and phagocytic activity of macrophages. The data obtained in the present study showed that RLJ-NE-299A significantly increased sheep red blood cell (SRBC) and induced antibody (IgM and IgG) titer and delayed type hypersensitivity (DTH) reaction in mice. Besides augmenting the humoral and cell-mediated immune response, it induced macrophage phagocytosis and stimulated cytokine-induced macrophage activation and nitric oxide (NO) production, which resulted in a high degree of protection against Candida albicans and Salmonella typhimurium infections. Flow cytometric analysis indicated the enhanced expression of co-stimulatory surface molecules CD80 and CD86. The ability of RLJ-NE-299A to upregulate these cell surface antigens involved in antigen presentation may provide an explanation for the increased T-cell mediated immunity involving macrophages. Taken together this in vitro and in vivo preclinical data suggests that RLJ-NE-299A acts as an effective immunomodulator specifically to improve macrophage function during infections. The effects of this agent on these cells at concentrations relevant to in vivo therapy support its immunopharmacologic application to modify cellular immunity.
authors.affiliation: Division of Pharmacology, Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine (CSIR), Jammu-180001, India.
authors.forename: Tabasum
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Sidiq
authors.forename: Anamika
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Khajuria
authors.forename: Pankaj
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Suden
authors.forename: Rohit
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Sharma
authors.forename: Surjeet
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Singh
authors.forename: K A
authors.initials: KA
authors.lastname: Suri
authors.forename: N K
authors.initials: NK
authors.lastname: Satti
authors.forename: R K
authors.initials: RK
authors.lastname: Johri
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002176:Candida albicans / Q000276:immunology; D002177:Candidiasis / Q000276:immunology / Q000382:microbiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D002452:Cell Count; D004338:Drug Combinations; D004912:Erythrocytes / Q000276:immunology; D006968:Hypersensitivity, Delayed / Q000276:immunology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D057888:Iridoid Glucosides / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D017737:Macrophages, Peritoneal / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000276:immunology; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D010587:Phagocytosis / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000276:immunology; D012480:Salmonella Infections / Q000276:immunology / Q000382:microbiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D012486:Salmonella typhimurium / Q000276:immunology; D012756:Sheep
chemical_list: D004338:Drug Combinations; D057888:Iridoid Glucosides; C520472:picroside I, picroside II drug combination