Hydrophilic Astragalin Galactoside Induces T Helper Type 1-Mediated Immune Responses via Dendritic Cells

Int J Mol Sci. 2018 Oct 11;19(10):3120. doi: 10.3390/ijms19103120.

Abstract

A flavonoid Astragalin (kaempferol-3-O-β-d-glucopyranoside, Ast) has several biological activities including anti-oxidant, anti-HIV, and anti-allergic effects. Nonetheless, its insolubility in hydrophilic solvents imposes restrictions on its therapeutic applications. In this study, we investigated the effects of water-soluble astragalin-galactoside (kaempferol-3-O-β-d-isomaltotrioside, Ast-Gal) on murine bone marrow-derived dendritic cell (DC) maturation and T helper (Th) cell-mediated immune responses. Ast-Gal significantly increased maturation and activation of DCs through the upregulation of surface markers, such as cluster of differentiation (CD)80, CD86, and Major histocompatibility complex (MHC) II in a dose-dependent manner, while Ast had little effects. Additionally, Ast-Gal-treated DCs markedly secreted immune-stimulating cytokines such as interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, and IL-12. Importantly, Ast-Gal strongly increased expression of IL-12, a polarizing cytokine of Th1 cells. In a co-culture system of DCs and CD4⁺ T cells, Ast-Gal-treated DCs preferentially differentiates naïve CD4⁺ T cells into Th1 cells. The addition of neutralizing IL-12 monoclonal antibody (mAb) to cultures of Ast-Gal-treated DCs and CD4⁺ T cells significantly decreased interferon (IFN)-γ production, thereby indicating that Ast-Gal-stimulated DCs enhance the Th1 response through IL-12 production by DCs. Injection with Ast-Gal-treated DCs in mice increased IFN-γ-secreting Th1 cell population. Collectively, these findings indicate that hydrophilically modified astragalin can enhance Th1-mediated immune responses via DCs and point to a possible application of water-soluble astragalin-galactoside as an immune adjuvant.

Keywords: Th1 cell; adjuvant; astragalin galactoside; dendritic cell; hydrophilic modification.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antigen Presentation / immunology
  • Antigen-Presenting Cells / drug effects
  • Antigen-Presenting Cells / immunology
  • Antigen-Presenting Cells / metabolism
  • Biomarkers
  • Cytokines / genetics
  • Cytokines / metabolism
  • Dendritic Cells / immunology*
  • Dendritic Cells / metabolism
  • Galactosides / pharmacology*
  • Gene Expression
  • Immunity / drug effects*
  • Immunophenotyping
  • Kaempferols / pharmacology*
  • Mice
  • T-Lymphocyte Subsets / drug effects
  • T-Lymphocyte Subsets / immunology
  • T-Lymphocyte Subsets / metabolism
  • Th1 Cells / drug effects*
  • Th1 Cells / immunology*
  • Th1 Cells / metabolism

Substances

  • Biomarkers
  • Cytokines
  • Galactosides
  • Kaempferols
  • astragalin