Prenylated Polyphenols from Clusiaceae and Calophyllaceae with Immunomodulatory Activity on Endothelial Cells

PLoS One. 2016 Dec 1;11(12):e0167361. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0167361. eCollection 2016.

Abstract

Endothelial cells (ECs) are key players in inflammation and immune responses involved in numerous pathologies. Although attempts were experimentally undertaken to prevent and control EC activation, drug leads and probes still remain necessary. Natural products (NPs) from Clusiaceous and Calophyllaceous plants were previously reported as potential candidates to prevent endothelial dysfunction. The present study aimed to identify more precisely the molecular scaffolds that could limit EC activation. Here, 13 polyphenols belonging to 5 different chemical types of secondary metabolites (i.e., mammea coumarins, a biflavonoid, a pyranochromanone acid, a polyprenylated polycyclic acylphloroglucinol (PPAP) and two xanthones) were tested on resting and cytokine-activated EC cultures. Quantitative and qualitative changes in the expression of both adhesion molecules (VCAM-1, ICAM-1, E-selectin) and major histocompatibility complex (MHC) molecules have been used to measure their pharmaceutical potential. As a result, we identified 3 mammea coumarins that efficiently reduce (up to >90% at 10 μM) both basal and cytokine-regulated levels of MHC class I, class II, MICA and HLA-E on EC surface. They also prevented VCAM-1 induction upon inflammation. From a structural point of view, our results associate the loss of the free prenyl group substituting mammea coumarins with a reduced cellular cytotoxicity but also an abrogation of their anti-inflammatory potential and a reduction of their immunosuppressive effects. A PPAP, guttiferone J, also triggers a strong immunomodulation but restricted to HLA-E and MHC class II molecules. In conclusion, mammea coumarins with a free prenyl group and the PPAP guttiferone J emerge as NPs able to drastically decrease both VCAM-1 and a set of MHC molecules and to potentially reduce the immunogenicity of the endothelium.

MeSH terms

  • Antigen Presentation / drug effects
  • Biological Products / chemistry
  • Biological Products / pharmacology*
  • Clusiaceae / chemistry
  • Coumarins / pharmacology
  • Cytokines / biosynthesis
  • E-Selectin / biosynthesis
  • Endothelial Cells / drug effects*
  • Endothelial Cells / pathology
  • Histocompatibility Antigens Class II / biosynthesis
  • Humans
  • Inflammation / drug therapy*
  • Inflammation / genetics
  • Inflammation / pathology
  • Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1 / biosynthesis
  • Interferon-gamma / biosynthesis
  • Polyphenols / chemistry
  • Polyphenols / pharmacology*
  • Prenylation / drug effects
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / biosynthesis
  • Vascular Cell Adhesion Molecule-1 / biosynthesis

Substances

  • Biological Products
  • Coumarins
  • Cytokines
  • E-Selectin
  • Histocompatibility Antigens Class II
  • Polyphenols
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha
  • Vascular Cell Adhesion Molecule-1
  • Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1
  • Interferon-gamma

Grants and funding

This work was supported by a grant from the Ministère de l'Enseignement Supérieur et de la Recherche (C.R.), by “PROVASC” and “HYPROTEC”, grants from the Pays de la Loire Region (S.P.). It was realized in the context of the IHU-Cesti, LabEx IGO and LabEx Transplantex projects which received French government financial support managed by the National Research Agency (ANR) via the “Investment Into The Future” programs ANR-10-IBHU-005, ANR-11-LABX-0016-01 and ANR-11-LABX-0070. The IHU-Cesti project is also supported by Nantes Metropole and the Pays de la Loire Region. This study was also supported by the “Fondation Centaure” (RTRS) which supports a French transplantation research network.