Immunomodulatory effects of Pseudostellaria heterophylla peptide on spleen lymphocytes via a Ca2+/CaN/NFATc1/IFN-γ pathway

Food Funct. 2019 Jun 19;10(6):3466-3476. doi: 10.1039/c9fo00577c.

Abstract

Pseudostellaria heterophylla has been becoming a popular research topic because of its functionally active components. The immunomodulatory activity of P. heterophylla peptide (PPH) derived from protein hydrolysate and the molecular mechanism underlying its immunomodulatory effect were investigated in this study. Immunomodulatory PPH achieved the highest stimulation index of 1.53 at a concentration of 100 μg mL-1 for 48 h in spleen lymphocytes and promoted the secretions of tumor necrosis factor-α, interferon-γ, and interleukin-10. Moreover, PPH could elevate the intracellular Ca2+ concentration, calcineurin activity and nuclear factor of activated T cell (NFAT) c1 mRNA expression. Meanwhile these effects could be diminished by the treatment of verapamil and cyclosporin A, suggesting that PPH may activate spleen lymphocytes via the Ca2+/CaN/NFATc1/IFN-γ signaling pathway. These findings demonstrate that the P. heterophylla peptide has the potential to be utilized as a nutraceutical supplement to strengthen the immune system in the human body.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Calcineurin / genetics
  • Calcineurin / immunology*
  • Calcium / immunology*
  • Caryophyllaceae / chemistry*
  • Immunologic Factors / chemistry
  • Immunologic Factors / pharmacology*
  • Interferon-gamma / genetics
  • Interferon-gamma / immunology*
  • Lymphocyte Activation / drug effects
  • Lymphocytes / drug effects*
  • Lymphocytes / immunology
  • Male
  • Mice
  • NFATC Transcription Factors / genetics
  • NFATC Transcription Factors / immunology*
  • Peptides / chemistry
  • Peptides / pharmacology*
  • Plant Proteins / chemistry
  • Plant Proteins / pharmacology
  • Spleen / cytology
  • Spleen / drug effects
  • Spleen / immunology

Substances

  • Immunologic Factors
  • NFATC Transcription Factors
  • Peptides
  • Plant Proteins
  • Interferon-gamma
  • Calcineurin
  • Calcium