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Effects of Korean Mistletoe Lectin(Viscum album coloratum) on Proliferation and Cytokine Expression in Human Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells and T-Lymphocytes

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Abstract

The anti-cancer activity of mistletoe has been ascribed to a combination of cytotoxic and immunological effects. We previously showed that Korean mistletoe lectin(Viscum album L.var. coloratum agglutinin, VCA) can stimulate IFN-γ production and modulate proliferation in murine splenocytes. In this study, we investigated the effects of VCA on human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (hPBMC) and T-lymphocytes. The addition of VCA resulted in a significant inhibition of proliferation at higher concentrations (at 2–8 ng/mL, 1–8 ng/mL in hPBMC and T-lymphocytes, respectively) but an induction at lower concentrations (at 4–16 pg/mL, 4–32 pg/mL in hPBMC and T-lymphocytes, respectively). Further studies were carried out to determine if the pro-proliferative or anti-proliferative activity exhibited by VCA was correlated with apoptosis and cytokine secretion. As a result, the apoptotic cell number increased to 26% after 48 h of VCA treatment (10 ng/mL) in the presence of anti-CD3/CD28 antibodies. On the other hand, without anti-CD3/CD28 antibody stimulants, VCA did not arrest cell cycle. In addition, it was shown that VCA could induce IL-2 secretion was dose-dependently increased by VCA in stimulated (anti-CD3/CD28 antibodies) (at 0.25-2 ng/mL) and non-stimulated (at 3–25 pg/mL) human T-lymphocytes. Also, at low and non-toxic concentrations of VCA, the RT-PCR result confirmed the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines such as IL-1α, IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8, and IFN-γ. These data may suggest new perspective to modulate the balance between cell growth, cytokine production and programmed cell death therapeutically.

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Abbreviations

CD:

cluster of differentiation

cpm:

counts per minute

CTCM:

complete tissue culture medium

ELISA:

enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay

FACS:

florescence activated cell sorting

FCS:

fetal calf serum

HU:

haemagglutinating unit

IL:

interleukin

IFN:

interferon

PBMC:

peripheral blood mononuclear cell

SDS-PAGE:

sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis

VAA:

Viscum album L.var agglutinin

VCA:

Viscum album Lvar coloratum agglutinin

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Immune Modulation Research Group, School of Pharmacy, University of Nottingham, University Park, NG7 2RD, Nottingham, UK

    Su-Yun Lyu

  2. College of Natural Sciences, Seoul Women’s University, Kongnung 2 Dong, Nowongu, 139-774, Seoul, Korea

    Won-Bong Park

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  1. Su-Yun Lyu
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  2. Won-Bong Park
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Correspondence to Won-Bong Park.

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Lyu, SY., Park, WB. Effects of Korean Mistletoe Lectin(Viscum album coloratum) on Proliferation and Cytokine Expression in Human Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells and T-Lymphocytes. Arch. Pharm. Res. 30, 1252–1264 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02980266

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