Immolina, a High–Molecular-Weight Polysaccharide Fraction of Spirulina, Enhances Chemokine Expression in Human Monocytic THP-1 Cells
Abstract
INTRODUCTION: Spirulina (Spirulina platensis) is a dietary supplement valued for its immune-enhancing properties. We previously reported that the immunostimulatory effect of spirulina can be traced to a high-molecular- weight polysaccharide fraction. This fraction, labeled Immolina, activates nuclear factor kappa-B in human monocytic THP-1 cells and increases expression of proinflammatory cytokines. OBJECTIVE: To characterize further the immunostimulatory effects of Immolina on THP-1 cells, we evaluated its effect on genes encoding the chemokines interleukin (IL)-8, MCP-1, MIP-1alpha, MIP-1beta, IP-10, the cytokines tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha, IL-1beta, and the enzyme cyclo-oxygenase-2 (COX-2). METHODS: THP-1 cells were exposed to concentrations of Immolina ranging from 1 ng/mL to 100 microg/mL and changes in gene expression were assessed by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). For comparison, THP-1 cells were activated with 1 ng/mL of TNF-alpha, 10 ng/mL of IL-1beta, or 10 ng/mL of lipopolysaccharide using the same assay conditions. To assess the response of THP-1 cells to Immolina at the protein level, we probed culture supernatants using a cytokine array immunoblot assay. RESULTS: RT-PCR analysis revealed that Immolina dose-dependently increased the expression of all 5 chemokines tested as well as the expression of TNF-alpha, IL-1beta, and COX-2. The cytokine array immunoblot assay revealed an increase in the chemokines IL-8 and MIP-1beta. Thymidine uptake experiments verified that Immolina did not affect the viability and growth rate of THP-1 cells. CONCLUSIONS: The results of the experiments demonstrate that Immolina activates THP-1 cells in a manner that is consistent with the recruitment of diverse populations of leukocytes in response to inflammatory and infectious signals.
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Immulina has immunostimulatory activity and increases IL-1β and TNF-α expression by inducing NF-kappa B pathway.
“the high molecular weight polysaccharide Immulina has been reported have immunostimulatory activity [70–72] and increased IL-1β and TNF-α expression by inducing NF-kappa B pathway [72].”
From Antioxidant, Immunomodulating, and Microbial‐Modulating Activities of the Sustainable and Ecofriendly <i>Spirulina</i> (2017) · cites this paper as [71]
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- Authors
- Grzanna, R., Polotsky, A., Phan, P. V., Pugh, N., Pasco, D., & Frondoza, C. G.
- Affiliations
- RMG Biosciences, Inc., Baltimore, MD.
- Johns Hopkins University (US)
- University of Mississippi (US)
- ORCID
- Pugh, Nirmal
- Venue
- The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine
- Publisher
- SAGE Publications
- Published
- 2006-06
- Volume
- 12
- Issue
- 5
- Pages
- 429-435
- ISSN
- 1075-5535 (ISSN-L)
- 1557-7708
- OpenAlex
- W2095164222
- Cited by
- 52
- References
- 26
- Citations by year
- 2026: 2 · 2024: 1 · 2023: 7 · 2022: 7 · 2021: 3 · 2020: 5 · 2019: 1 · 2018: 3 · 2017: 1 · 2016: 1 · 2015: 1 · 2014: 1 · 2013: 4 · 2012: 2
- FWCI
- 2.55
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Life Sciences › Agricultural and Biological Sciences › Aquatic Science › Seaweed-derived Bioactive Compounds
- Life Sciences › Immunology and Microbiology › Immunology › Immune Response and Inflammation
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Complementary and alternative medicine › Natural Compounds in Disease Treatment
- Keywords
- Spirulina platensis, high molecular weight polysaccharides, immunostimulatory effects, chemokine expression, THP-1 cells, NF-κB activation, interleukin-8, MIP-1β, MCP-1, CXCL10, MIP-1α, TNF-α, IL-1β, cyclooxygenase-2, inflammatory cytokines, dietary supplements
- MeSH terms
- Dose-Response Relationship, Drug, Monocytes, Plant Extracts, Polysaccharides, Tumor Cells, Cultured, Inflammation Mediators, Chemokines, Receptors, Chemokine, Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction, Spirulina
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