D-Limonene modulates T lymphocyte activity and viability.
d-Limonene, a cyclic terpene that is a major component of several plant essential oils, is used widely as an additive in perfumes, soaps, foods and beverages, and has also been shown to possess chemopreventative and chemotherapeutic activity. A limited number of studies have been conducted investigating the effect of d-limonene on immune system function. We show that d-limonene and its metabolites limonene-1-2-diol and perillic acid inhibit the production by CD3(+)CD4(+) T cells of IFN-γ, IL-2, TNF-α, IL-4 and IL-13, and the production by CD3(+)CD8(+) T cells of IFN-γ, IL-2, and TNF-α. Additionally, the upregulation of CD25, CD69 and CD40L by activated T lymphocytes is modulated by d-limonene, limonene-1-2-diol and perillic acid treatment. Furthermore, high concentrations of d-limonene, limonene-1-2-diol and perillic acid induce T lymphocyte cell death. These data suggest that d-limonene possesses immunomodulatory activity that must be considered when utilizing the compound for therapeutic or commercial purposes.
Department of Biology, Lebanon Valley College, Annville, PA 17003, United States. lappas@lvc.edu
Courtney M
CM
Lappas
Nicholas T
NT
Lappas
D000818:Animals; D016588:Anticarcinogenic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology; D015703:Antigens, CD / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D000945:Antigens, Differentiation, T-Lymphocyte / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D017252:CD3 Complex / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D015496:CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D023201:CD40 Ligand / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D018414:CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D049109:Cell Proliferation / Q000187:drug effects; D002470:Cell Survival / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D053138:Cyclohexenes / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005260:Female; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D018793:Interleukin-13 / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D007376:Interleukin-2 / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D053645:Interleukin-2 Receptor alpha Subunit / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D015847:Interleukin-4 / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D037181:Lectins, C-Type / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D000077222:Limonene; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D039821:Monoterpenes / Q000494:pharmacology; D013729:Terpenes / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology*; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D000099192:CD69 Antigens
D016588:Anticarcinogenic Agents; D015703:Antigens, CD; D000945:Antigens, Differentiation, T-Lymphocyte; D017252:CD3 Complex; D023201:CD40 Ligand; D053138:Cyclohexenes; D007371:Interferon-gamma; D018793:Interleukin-13; D007376:Interleukin-2; D053645:Interleukin-2 Receptor alpha Subunit; D015847:Interleukin-4; D037181:Lectins, C-Type; D000077222:Limonene; D039821:Monoterpenes; D013729:Terpenes; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; D000099192:CD69 Antigens; C078706:perillic acid