title: The immunomodulatory effect of propolis on receptors expression, cytokine production and fungicidal activity of human monocytes.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Propolis is a beehive product and its immunomodulatory action has been documented; however, little is known concerning its mechanisms of action on human cells. Propolis influence on the initial events of the immune response was assessed, evaluating cell markers, cytokine production and the fungicidal activity of human monocytes.
  
  
  METHODS
  Toll-like receptor (TLR)-2, TLR-4, human leukocyte antigen-DR and cluster of differentiation (CD)80 expression by human monocytes was assessed using a FACSCalibur flow cytometer, cytokine production (tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-α and interleukin (IL)-10) was determined by ELISA and the candidacidal activity was investigated after monocytes incubation with propolis and challenged with Candida albicans. The role of TLR-2 and TLR-4 on propolis action was assessed as well.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Propolis upregulated TLR-4 and CD80 expression and affected TNF-α and IL-10 production, depending on concentration. Propolis also increased the fungicidal activity of monocytes. Cytokine production was decreased by blocking TLR-4, whereas the fungicidal activity was affected by blocking TLR-2.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Propolis exerted an immunomodulatory action on cell receptors, cytokine production and fungicidal activity of human monocytes without affecting cell viability and depending on concentration. TLR-2 and TLR-4 may be involved in its mechanism of action.
authors.affiliation: Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Biosciences Institute, UNESP, Botucatu, SP, Brazil.
authors.forename: Michelle Cristiane
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Búfalo
authors.forename: Ana Paula
authors.initials: AP
authors.lastname: Bordon-Graciani
authors.forename: Bruno José
authors.initials: BJ
authors.lastname: Conti
authors.forename: Marjorie
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: de Assis Golim
authors.forename: José Maurício
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Sforcin
mesh_terms: D000935:Antifungal Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D018122:B7-1 Antigen / Q000378:metabolism*; D002176:Candida albicans / Q000187:drug effects; D016207:Cytokines / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D006801:Humans; D007155:Immunologic Factors / Q000494:pharmacology*; D016753:Interleukin-10 / Q000378:metabolism; D009000:Monocytes / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D011429:Propolis / Q000494:pharmacology*; D051195:Toll-Like Receptor 2 / Q000378:metabolism; D051197:Toll-Like Receptor 4 / Q000378:metabolism; D051193:Toll-Like Receptors / Q000378:metabolism*; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D000935:Antifungal Agents; D018122:B7-1 Antigen; D016207:Cytokines; D007155:Immunologic Factors; C495342:TLR2 protein, human; C495345:TLR4 protein, human; D051195:Toll-Like Receptor 2; D051197:Toll-Like Receptor 4; D051193:Toll-Like Receptors; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; D016753:Interleukin-10; D011429:Propolis
keywords: Toll-like receptors; cytokines; monocytes; propolis