title: Curcumin attenuates lupus nephritis upon interaction with regulatory T cells in New Zealand Black/White mice.
abstract: Curcumin has been used in Asian traditional medicine for its medicinal properties. Recent studies have demonstrated that curcumin has antioxidant, anti-tumour and anti-inflammatory activities. The aim of the present study is to investigate the effects of curcumin on established lupus nephritis (LN) in New Zealand Black/White (NZB/W) F1 female mice, in particular, its interaction with regulatory T (Treg) cells. Starting at 18 weeks of age, mice were fed a standard diet or a diet containing 1 % curcumin until the end of the study. The proteinuria level and the serum levels of IgG1, IgG2a and anti-double-stranded DNA (dsDNA) IgG antibodies were measured. Additionally, IgG immune complex deposition in the glomeruli and renal inflammation were compared between curcumin-treated mice and control mice. Curcumin decreased the proteinuria level and serum levels of IgG1, IgG2a and anti-dsDNA IgG antibodies in NZB/W F1 female mice. IgG immune complex deposition in the glomeruli was reduced in curcumin-treated mice. Furthermore, renal inflammation was also decreased after curcumin treatment. Interestingly, these therapeutic effects of curcumin disappeared after Treg depletion by anti-CD25 antibody injection. Curcumin exerted a protective effect against LN in NZB/W F1 mice. We speculate that the protective effects of curcumin in LN may involve, at least in part, its interaction with Treg cells.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physiology, College of Oriental Medicine, Kyung Hee University, 1 Hoeki-Dong, Dongdaemun-gu, Seoul 130-701, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Hyojung
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Hyunseong
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Gihyun
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Hwan-Suck
authors.initials: HS
authors.lastname: Chung
authors.forename: Hyunsu
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Bae
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000906:Antibodies; D000974:Antibodies, Antinuclear / Q000378:metabolism; D000936:Antigen-Antibody Complex / Q000378:metabolism; D030024:Curcuma / Q000737:chemistry*; D003474:Curcumin / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D005260:Female; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000378:metabolism*; D053645:Interleukin-2 Receptor alpha Subunit / Q000378:metabolism; D007678:Kidney Glomerulus / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D008181:Lupus Nephritis / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism / Q000517:prevention & control*; D051379:Mice; D008814:Mice, Inbred NZB; D008517:Phytotherapy; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011507:Proteinuria / Q000517:prevention & control; D050378:T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D000906:Antibodies; D000974:Antibodies, Antinuclear; D000936:Antigen-Antibody Complex; D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D053645:Interleukin-2 Receptor alpha Subunit; D010936:Plant Extracts; D003474:Curcumin