title: S-1-Propenylcysteine promotes the differentiation of B cells into IgA-producing cells by the induction of Erk1/2-dependent Xbp1 expression in Peyer's patches.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  S-Allylcysteine (SAC) and S-1-propenylcysteine (S1PC) are the characteristic sulfur-containing amino acids in aged garlic extract. In this study, we investigated the effect of SAC and S1PC on intestinal immunoglobulin (Ig)A production to gain insight into the immunomodulatory effect of aged garlic extract.
  
  
  METHODS
  In vitro study: Mouse splenic lymphocytes were treated with S1PC (0.1 and 0.3 mM) or SAC (0.1 and 0.3 mM) for 3 d, and IgA concentration in the culture medium was examined. In vivo study: Mice were orally administrated S1PC (7.5, 15, and 30 mg/kg) for 5 d and the IgA level in the intestinal lavage fluids as well as the population of IgA-producing cells in Peyer's patches were measured using mouse IgA enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay quantification set and flow cytometer, respectively.
  
  
  RESULTS
  S1PC enhanced IgA production in mouse splenic lymphocytes in culture. However, SAC was ineffective. In addition, oral administration of S1PC to mice increased the IgA level and number of IgA-producing cells in Peyer's Patches. Furthermore, S1PC induced the expression of X-box binding protein 1 (Xbp1) mRNA, an inducer of plasma cell differentiation, in Peyer's patches. This induction was accompanied by the degradation of paired box protein 5 and the activation of mitogen activated protein/extracellular signal-regulated kinase signaling pathway.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These results suggest that S1PC increases IgA-producing cells via the enhancement of Erk1/2-mediated Xbp1 expression in the intestine.
authors.affiliation: Drug Discovery Laboratory, Wakunaga Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd., Hiroshima, Japan. Electronic address: suzuki_j@wakunaga.co.jp.
authors.forename: Jun-Ichiro
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Suzuki
authors.affiliation: Drug Discovery Laboratory, Wakunaga Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd., Hiroshima, Japan.
authors.forename: Takako
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Yamaguchi
authors.affiliation: Drug Discovery Laboratory, Wakunaga Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd., Hiroshima, Japan.
authors.forename: Toshiaki
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Matsutomo
authors.affiliation: Drug Discovery Laboratory, Wakunaga Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd., Hiroshima, Japan.
authors.forename: Hirotaka
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Amano
authors.affiliation: Drug Discovery Laboratory, Wakunaga Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd., Hiroshima, Japan.
authors.forename: Naoaki
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Morihara
authors.affiliation: Drug Discovery Laboratory, Wakunaga Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd., Hiroshima, Japan.
authors.forename: Yukihiro
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Kodera
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D003545:Cysteine / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000494:pharmacology; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005260:Female; D007070:Immunoglobulin A / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D020935:MAP Kinase Signaling System / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D023421:Models, Animal; D010581:Peyer's Patches / Q000378:metabolism*; D000071717:X-Box Binding Protein 1 / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D007070:Immunoglobulin A; D000071717:X-Box Binding Protein 1; C028742:S-propylcysteine; D003545:Cysteine
keywords: Immunoglobulin A; Intestinal immune response; Plasma cell differentiation; Sulfur-containing amino acids; Transcription factor