Lithothamnion muelleri controls inflammatory responses, target organ injury and lethality associated with graft-versus-host disease in mice

Mar Drugs. 2013 Jul 18;11(7):2595-615. doi: 10.3390/md11072595.

Abstract

Lithothamnion muelleri (Hapalidiaceae) is a marine red alga, which is a member of a group of algae with anti-inflammatory, antitumor, and immunomodulatory properties. The present study evaluated the effects of treatment with Lithothamnion muelleri extract (LM) in a model of acute graft-versus-host disease (GVHD), using a model of adoptive splenocyte transfer from C57BL/6 donors into B6D2F1 recipient mice. Mice treated with LM showed reduced clinical signs of disease and mortality when compared with untreated mice. LM-treated mice had reduced tissue injury, less bacterial translocation, and decreased levels of proinflammatory cytokines and chemokines (interferon-γ (IFN-γ), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), chemokine (C-C motif) ligand 2 (CCL2), chemokine (C-C motif) ligand 3 (CCL3) and chemokine (C-C motif) ligand 5 (CCL5)). The polysaccharide-rich fraction derived from LM could inhibit leukocyte rolling and adhesion in intestinal venules, as assessed by intravital microscopy. LM treatment did not impair the beneficial effects of graft-versus-leukaemia (GVL). Altogether, our studies suggest that treatment with Lithothamnion muelleri has a potential therapeutic application in GVHD treatment.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents / immunology*
  • Cell Adhesion / immunology
  • Cell Line
  • Cytokines / immunology
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Endothelial Cells / immunology
  • Graft vs Host Disease / immunology*
  • Inflammation / immunology*
  • Intestines / immunology
  • Leukocytes / immunology
  • Liver Diseases / immunology
  • Macrophages / immunology
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Rhodophyta / immunology*

Substances

  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents
  • Cytokines