Quercetin, a Plant Polyphenol, Has Potential for the Prevention of Bone Destruction in Rheumatoid Arthritis

J Med Food. 2019 Feb;22(2):152-161. doi: 10.1089/jmf.2018.4259. Epub 2018 Dec 31.

Abstract

We investigated the immune-regulatory function of quercetin, in interleukin (IL)-17-produced osteoclastogenesis in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). RA fibroblasts-like synoviocytes (RA-FLS) were stimulated with IL-17, and the mRNA expression and secretion of receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa-B ligand (RANKL) were detected by real-time polymerase chain reaction and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, respectively. CD14+ monocytes (osteoclast precursors) were stimulated with IL-17, RANKL, with/without quercetin, and tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase activity was evaluated to assess osteoclast differentiation. Osteoclast differentiation was investigated after coculturing IL-17-stimulated RA-FLS and Th17 cells with monocytes. CD4+ T cells were cocultured with quercetin under Th17-inducing conditions, and their differentiation to Th17 cells and Treg cells was determined by flow cytometry analysis. We found that IL-17 stimulated RA-FLS to produce RANKL and quercetin decreased the IL-17-induced RANKL protein levels. Quercetin decreased the IL-17-produced activation of mammalian target of rapamycin, extracellular signal-regulated kinase and inhibitor of kappa B-alpha. When monocytes were stimulated with IL-17, macrophage colony-stimulating factor or RANKL, mature osteoclasts were formed, and quercetin decreased this osteoclastogenesis. When monocytes were cultured with IL-17-prestimulated RA-FLS or Th17 cells, osteoclasts were produced, and quercetin decreased this osteoclast differentiation. In Th17-differentiation conditions, quercetin suppressed Th17 cell and the production of IL-17, but quercetin did not affect Treg cells. Quercetin inhibits IL-17-stimulated RANKL production in RA-FLS and IL-17-stimulated osteoclast formation. Quercetin reduces Th17 differentiation. Quercetin could be an additional therapeutic option for bone destructive processes in RA.

MeSH terms

  • Acid Phosphatase / metabolism
  • Arthritis, Rheumatoid* / drug therapy
  • Arthritis, Rheumatoid* / metabolism
  • Arthritis, Rheumatoid* / pathology
  • Cell Differentiation
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Fibroblasts / drug effects
  • Fibroblasts / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Interleukin-17 / adverse effects
  • Interleukin-17 / metabolism
  • Monocytes
  • Osteoclasts / drug effects*
  • Osteogenesis / drug effects*
  • Phytotherapy*
  • Plant Extracts / pharmacology*
  • Plant Extracts / therapeutic use
  • Quercetin / pharmacology*
  • Quercetin / therapeutic use
  • RANK Ligand / metabolism
  • Synoviocytes / drug effects
  • Synoviocytes / metabolism
  • TOR Serine-Threonine Kinases / metabolism
  • Tartrate-Resistant Acid Phosphatase / metabolism
  • Th17 Cells

Substances

  • Interleukin-17
  • Plant Extracts
  • RANK Ligand
  • Quercetin
  • MTOR protein, human
  • TOR Serine-Threonine Kinases
  • Acid Phosphatase
  • Tartrate-Resistant Acid Phosphatase