title: T cell regulation by Phlomis lanata protein extracts in mice.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Phytopharmacology is a complex but very promising research area. The different plant parts and extraction methods may result in opposed effects. Phlomis species have been reported for both anti-inflammatory and tonic properties.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The effect of Phlomis lanata Willd. (Lamiaceae) protein extracts on immune cell reactivity was studied in the experimental mouse model.
  
  
  METHODS
  Protein extracts from P. lanata aerial parts were fractionated by Q-sepharose ion-exchange chromatography and applied to whole spleen cells or T-cell subsets at 5 μg/ml. Cell growth and cytokine production were evaluated after 4 and 2 d of culture using (3)H-thymidine-uptake and ELISA techniques, respectively.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Among the protein fractions tested, column wash proteins (W1) and the fraction eluted using 600 mM NaCl (F6) reduced by 76% and increased by 78% spleen cell proliferation, respectively. W1 suppressed proliferation of effector T-cells, but stimulated the growth of suppressor/regulatory cells by 62-148%. Although W1 stimulated IL-2 and IL-10 production from total spleen cells, it significantly increased IL-10 (50%) and reduced IL-2 (30-50%) production from T-cells, while TNF-α release was enhanced in CD25(+)CD4(+) by 92% and reduced by 50% in CD25(+)CD8(+) cells. F6 stimulated whole spleen cell growth, reduced proliferation of CD8(+) and CD25(+) cells by approximately 50%, while decreasing by 60-80% TNF-α production from CD25(-) and CD25(+)CD8(+) cells.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The suppressive activity of W1 could be attributed to IL-10 and TNF-α, while the stimulatory effect of F6 could be attributed to the inhibition of T-regulatory cells. In the same plant, coexisting protein fractions induce both immunostimulatory and immunosuppressive activities.
authors.affiliation: a Laboratory of Immunology, Department of Biology , University of Crete , Crete , Greece .
authors.forename: Debora
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Karali
authors.affiliation: b Laboratory of Plant Ecology, Department of Biology , University of Crete , Crete , Greece , and.
authors.forename: Luciana
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Georgescu
authors.affiliation: b Laboratory of Plant Ecology, Department of Biology , University of Crete , Crete , Greece , and.|c Botanical Garden, University of Crete , Crete , Greece.
authors.forename: Stergios
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Pirintsos
authors.affiliation: a Laboratory of Immunology, Department of Biology , University of Crete , Crete , Greece .
authors.forename: Irene
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Athanassakis
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D018929:Cell Culture Techniques; D049109:Cell Proliferation / Q000187:drug effects; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D007155:Immunologic Factors / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology*; D016753:Interleukin-10 / Q000096:biosynthesis; D007376:Interleukin-2 / Q000096:biosynthesis; D008297:Male; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D031345:Phlomis / Q000737:chemistry*; D035261:Plant Components, Aerial / Q000737:chemistry; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology*; D010940:Plant Proteins / Q000737:chemistry*; D013154:Spleen / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000276:immunology; D016176:T-Lymphocyte Subsets / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000276:immunology; D050378:T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000096:biosynthesis
chemical_list: C556062:IL10 protein, mouse; D007155:Immunologic Factors; D007376:Interleukin-2; D010936:Plant Extracts; D010940:Plant Proteins; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; D016753:Interleukin-10
keywords: Cytokines; T cell subsets; immunostimulation; immunosuppression; protein elution