title: Curcumin inhibits suppressive capacity of naturally occurring CD4+CD25+ regulatory T cells in mice in vitro.
abstract: Accumulating evidence has demonstrated that naturally occurring CD4(+)CD25(+) regulatory T cells (Tregs) are critical for maintenance of immunological tolerance and have been shown to be important in regulating the immune responses in many diseases. Curcumin, a phytochemical obtained from the rhizome of the plant Curcuma longa, has achieved the potential therapeutic interest to numerous immune-related disorders. However, the effect and mechanism of curcumin on Tregs remain largely elusive. In the present study, curcumin inhibition of the suppressive activity of CD4(+)CD25(+) regulatory T cells appears to be dependent on three categories: inhibiting cell-cell contact by down-regulation of CTLA-4, suppressing inhibitory cytokine secretion and decreasing the ability to consume IL-2 and/or suppress IL-2 production. In addition, Foxp3 expression was also reduced on Tregs after curcumin stimulation. Moreover, we found that nuclear translocation of p65 and c-Rel, which is critical for Foxp3 and CD25 expressions, was markedly decreased in Tregs with curcumin stimulation. Based on the role of curcumin in the suppressive activity of Tregs, it may be feasible to use curcumin as an immunotherapy for Treg-related diseases, such as tumors and sepsis.
authors: Emergency Department, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical College, Wenzhou 325000, PR China.
authors: Guang-ju
authors: GJ
authors: Zhao
authors: Zhong-qiu
authors: ZQ
authors: Lu
authors: Lu-ming
authors: LM
authors: Tang
authors: Zong-sheng
authors: ZS
authors: Wu
authors: Da-wei
authors: DW
authors: Wang
authors: Jia-yi
authors: JY
authors: Zheng
authors: Qiao-meng
authors: QM
authors: Qiu
mesh_terms: D021581:Active Transport, Cell Nucleus / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology; D000818:Animals; D015704:CD4 Antigens / Q000096:biosynthesis; D060908:CTLA-4 Antigen / Q000378:metabolism; D002467:Cell Nucleus / Q000378:metabolism; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D030024:Curcuma / Q000737:chemistry; D003474:Curcumin / Q000494:pharmacology*; D051858:Forkhead Transcription Factors / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology; D007165:Immunosuppression Therapy; D007376:Interleukin-2 / Q000378:metabolism; D053645:Interleukin-2 Receptor alpha Subunit / Q000096:biosynthesis; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D020569:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-rel / Q000378:metabolism; D027343:Rhizome / Q000737:chemistry; D050378:T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000276:immunology; D051996:Transcription Factor RelA / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D015704:CD4 Antigens; D060908:CTLA-4 Antigen; D051858:Forkhead Transcription Factors; C498833:Foxp3 protein, mouse; D007376:Interleukin-2; D053645:Interleukin-2 Receptor alpha Subunit; D020569:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-rel; C498144:Rela protein, mouse; D051996:Transcription Factor RelA; D003474:Curcumin