title: Immunomodulating effects of epigallocatechin-3-gallate from green tea: mechanisms and applications.
abstract: Consuming green tea or its active ingredient, epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG), has been shown consistently to benefit the healthy functioning of several body systems. In the immune system specifically, accumulating evidence has revealed an immunomodulating effect of green tea/EGCG. Several types of immune cells in both the innate and adaptive immune systems are known to be affected in varying degrees by green tea/EGCG. Among them, the dramatic effect on T cell functions has been repeatedly demonstrated, including T cell activation, proliferation, differentiation, and production of cytokines. In particular, dysregulated T cell function with respect to different subsets of CD4(+) T cells is a critical pathogenic factor in the development of autoimmune inflammatory diseases. Recent studies have shown that EGCG affects the differentiation of naïve CD4(+) T cells into different effector subsets in a way that would be expected to favorably impact autoimmunity. Consistent with these findings, studies using animal models of autoimmune diseases have reported disease improvement in animals treated with green tea/EGCG. Altogether, these studies identify and support the use of EGCG as a potential therapeutic agent in preventing and ameliorating T cell-mediated autoimmune diseases. Given the paucity of information in human studies, the translational value of these findings needs to be verified in future research.
authors.affiliation: Cellular and Molecular Physiology Section, Joslin Diabetes Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA.
authors.forename: Munkyong
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Pae
authors.forename: Dayong
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Wu
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001327:Autoimmune Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000276:immunology; D015496:CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D002392:Catechin / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000494:pharmacology; D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000187:drug effects; D049109:Cell Proliferation / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D007107:Immune System / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects; D007113:Immunity, Innate / Q000187:drug effects; D056747:Immunomodulation / Q000502:physiology*; D023421:Models, Animal; D013662:Tea / Q000737:chemistry*
chemical_list: D013662:Tea; D002392:Catechin; C045651:epigallocatechin gallate