title: Modified pectin from Theobroma cacao induces potent pro-inflammatory activity in murine peritoneal macrophage.
abstract: In vitro effects of acetylated pectin (OP) isolated from cacao pod husks (Theobroma cacao L.), its partially deacetylated and de-esterified form (MOP), and a commercial homogalacturonan (PG) were investigated on murine peritoneal macrophages. MOP stood out among the studied pectins. After 48h of incubation, compared with the control group, it was able to promote significant macrophage morphological differentiation from resident to activated stage and also stimulated nitric oxide production, which reached a level of 85% of that of LPS stimulus. In the presence of the highest tested concentration of MOP (200μg·mL-1), the levels of the cytokines TNF-α (6h) and IL-12 and IL-10 (48h) increased substantially in relation to untreated cells. Our results show that the partial deacetylation and de-esterification of pectin extracted from cacao pod husks (T. cacao L.) produced a polymer with greater ability than its native form to activate macrophages to a cytotoxic phenotype. Like this, they provide the possibility of a therapeutic application to MOP, which could lead to a decreased susceptibility to microbial infection besides antitumor activity. Additionally, the present results also corroborate with the proposition of that the chemical modifications of the biopolymers can result in an improved molecule with new possibilities of application.
authors: Departamento de Bioquímica e Biologia Molecular, Universidade Federal do Paraná, Curitiba, Paraná, Brazil.
authors: Juliana C
authors: JC
authors: Amorim
authors: Departamento de Bioquímica e Biologia Molecular, Universidade Federal do Paraná, Curitiba, Paraná, Brazil.
authors: Lucia Cristina
authors: LC
authors: Vriesmann
authors: Departamento de Bioquímica e Biologia Molecular, Universidade Federal do Paraná, Curitiba, Paraná, Brazil.
authors: Carmen L O
authors: CL
authors: Petkowicz
authors: Departamento de Bioquímica e Biologia Molecular, Universidade Federal do Paraná, Curitiba, Paraná, Brazil.
authors: Glaucia Regina
authors: GR
authors: Martinez
authors: Departamento de Bioquímica e Biologia Molecular, Universidade Federal do Paraná, Curitiba, Paraná, Brazil. Electronic address: guinoleto@yahoo.com.br.
authors: Guilhermina R
authors: GR
authors: Noleto
mesh_terms: D000107:Acetylation; D000818:Animals; D002099:Cacao / Q000737:chemistry*; D005260:Female; D015870:Gene Expression; D007249:Inflammation; D016753:Interleukin-10 / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology; D018664:Interleukin-12 / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology; D008070:Lipopolysaccharides / Q000494:pharmacology; D008262:Macrophage Activation / Q000187:drug effects*; D017737:Macrophages, Peritoneal / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000276:immunology; D051379:Mice; D009569:Nitric Oxide / Q000819:agonists / Q000096:biosynthesis; D010368:Pectins / Q000737:chemistry / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology*; D061251:Primary Cell Culture; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology
chemical_list: C556062:IL10 protein, mouse; D008070:Lipopolysaccharides; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; D016753:Interleukin-10; D018664:Interleukin-12; D009569:Nitric Oxide; D010368:Pectins; C003181:polygalacturonic acid
keywords: Chemical modification; Immunomodulator; Macrophage; Pectin; Saponification; Theobroma cacao L.