Immunomodulatory properties of Tamm-Horsfall glycoprotein (THP) and uromodulin.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Tamm-Horsfall glycoprotein (THP) and uromodulin are the most abundant glycoproteins in non-pregnant women's/men's and pregnant women's urine, respectively. However, the bioactivities of these glycoproteins are still unclear. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the immunomodulatory properties of THP and uromodulin on human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) METHODS: THP and uromodulin isolated with diatomaceous earth filtration were subjected to several bioassays, such as MTS viability assay, immunophenotyping and cytokine analysis. RESULTS: MTS viability assay and immunophenotyping analysis showed that uromodulin has greater inhibitory activities in suppressing PBMC viability and the percentage of CD4⁺ T helper cells and CD8⁺ cytotoxic T cells, compared to that of THP. In cytokine analysis, THP tended to induce pro-inflammatory cytokines such as IL-1ß, TNF and Th1 cytokine IFN-γ; while uromodulin only induced IL-1ß and suppressed both Th1 cytokine IFN-γ and Th2 cytokine IL-10. CONCLUSION: These results demonstrate that uromodulin has greater immunosuppressive activities and lower inductive property in relation to activation of immune cells, which provides a more tolerant environment for the developing fetus.