Role of Zinc Sulphate in Immune Regulation in Artemisia annua Pollen-challenged P815 Mastocytoma Cells.

Objective This study aimed to investigate the role of zinc sulphate in immune regulation in Artemisia annua pollen-challenged P815 mastocytoma cells. Methods P815 mastocytoma cells were treated with various concentrations of zinc sulphate and Artemisia annua pollen. Cell proliferation was measured using the Cell Counting Kit-8. The amount of ST2 and p38 in the cells were measured using Western blotting. The level of interleukins (IL)-33 in the supernatant was determined using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The levels of IL-2, IL-4, IL-5, interferon-γ, and tumor necrosis factor were measured using the cytometric bead array. Results Artemisia annua pollen at a concentration >0.001 µg/mL induced allergic response in the P815 mastocytoma cells. Expressions of IL-33, IL-4, ST2, and p38 increased along with higher concentrations of Artemisia annua pollen. Zinc sulphate of 50-200 µmol/L promoted the proliferation of P815 mastocytoma cells. Zinc sulphate attenuated the upregulation of IL-33, IL-4, ST2, and p38 caused by Artemisia annua pollen. Conclusion Zinc sulphate can promote the proliferation of P815 mastocytoma cells. It can also attenuate allergic response in the P815 mastocytoma cells induced by Artemisia annua pollen, which might provide a new treatment method for allergic diseases.

Inhibition of indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase by stereoisomers of 1-methyl tryptophan in an experimental graft-versus-tumor model.

Indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO) is a rate-limiting enzyme in tryptophan catabolism that plays an important role in the induction of immune tolerance. Its role in graft-versus-tumor effect after allogeneic stem cell transplantation (allo-SCT) remains unclear. Using a murine graft-versus-tumor model of reduced-intensity allo-HSCT followed by donor leukocyte infusion (DLI), we examined the role of IDO inhibition. Two stereoisomers of 1-methyl tryptophan (1-MT), a small-molecule inhibitor of IDO, reduced the growth of inoculated tumor in the mice that received DLI and had higher expression of IDO1 and IFNγ. However, L-1MT, but not D-1MT, mitigated tumor growth in mice that did not receive DLI and did not express IDO1 and IFNγ. Accordingly, both stereoisomers reduced plasma kynurenine concentrations early after DLI and enhanced in vitro cytotoxic lymphocyte function after allogeneic mixed lymphocyte reaction. Furthermore, L-1MT was more efficient in causing direct cytotoxic effects than D-1MT. Our results suggest that IDO inhibition can benefit anti-tumor therapy in the setting of reduced-intensity allo-SCT using DLI.

The protective effect of Schisandra lignans on stress-evoked hepatic metastases of P815 tumor cells in restraint mice.

AIM OF THE STUDY: The present study was conducted to investigate the effects of schisandra lignans extract (SLE) on stress-evoked hepatic metastases of mastocytoma P815 tumor cells, which was closely related with immune function. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) fingerprint of SLE was recorded and the percentage composition of schisandra lignans was determined as 82.63%. The contributions of the immunomodulatory properties of SLE to the protective effects on stress-induced hepatic metastases were studied. RESULTS: Our results found that restraint stress significantly promoted hepatic metastases of P815 tumor cells. However, oral administration of SLE (100 and 200mg/kg/d, 14d) significantly reduced the number of metastatic colonies in liver of restrained mice. SLE was further found to be significantly improving T lymphocyte proportions and increasing cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) activity of immunized spleen cells in stressed mice. CONCLUSION: These results indicated that the protective effects of SLE on hepatic metastases were related to its alleviation of the adverse effects of stressors for bio-homeostasis and immunoprotection. The obtained data provided evidences to elucidate the traditional use of Fructus schisandrae as a tonic or sedative.