title: Differential Inhibition of T Lymphocyte Proliferation and Cytokine Synthesis by [6]-Gingerol, [8]-Gingerol, and [10]-Gingerol.
abstract: [6]-Gingerol, [8]-gingerol, and [10]-gingerol are pungent components of fresh ginger, extracts of which inhibit various components of the inflammatory response. Because little is known regarding the effect of gingerols with different unbranched alkyl side chain lengths on the activation and effector function of T lymphocytes, we compared the effects of [6]-gingerol, [8]-gingerol, and [10]-gingerol on murine T lymphocyte proliferation, expression of CD25 and CD69 activation markers, cytokine synthesis, and interleukin (IL)-2 receptor signaling. All three gingerols inhibited DNA synthesis by T lymphocytes, as well as interferon-γ synthesis. In contrast, only [8]-gingerol and [10]-gingerol inhibited CD25 and CD69 expression, and IL-2 synthesis. None of the gingerols affected IL-4 synthesis. Exogenous IL-2 enhanced T lymphocyte proliferation in the presence of [6]-gingerol but did not significantly increase T lymphocyte proliferation in the presence of [8]-gingerol or [10]-gingerol. In line with this finding, [8]-gingerol and [10]-gingerol impaired IL-2-induced proliferation of CTLL-2 cells, but constitutive CD25 expression was unaffected, indicating inhibition of IL-2 receptor signaling. In general, [10]-gingerol and [8]-gingerol were more potent inhibitors of T lymphocytes than [6]-gingerol. Suppression of T lymphocyte responses by gingerols suggests that these phytochemicals may be beneficial in chronic inflammatory conditions associated with excessive or inappropriate T lymphocyte activation.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, B3H 4R2, Canada.
authors.forename: Megan
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bernard
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, B3H 4R2, Canada.
authors.forename: Suzanne J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Furlong
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, B3H 4R2, Canada.
authors.forename: Melanie R
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Power Coombs
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, B3H 4R2, Canada.|Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, B3H 4R2, Canada.|Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, B3H 4R2, Canada.
authors.forename: David W
authors.initials: DW
authors.lastname: Hoskin
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002396:Catechols / Q000494:pharmacology*; D049109:Cell Proliferation / Q000187:drug effects; D005233:Fatty Alcohols / Q000494:pharmacology*; D020939:Zingiber officinale / Q000737:chemistry; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000276:immunology; D007376:Interleukin-2 / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D015847:Interleukin-4 / Q000276:immunology; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation / Q000187:drug effects*; D051379:Mice; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000187:drug effects; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000187:drug effects*
chemical_list: D002396:Catechols; D005233:Fatty Alcohols; D007376:Interleukin-2; D015847:Interleukin-4; D007371:Interferon-gamma; C007845:gingerol
keywords: DNA synthesis; T lymphocyte; cytokine; ginger; gingerol; inflammation