RESUMO

The phycobiliproteins from Rhodophyta , R-phycoerythrin (R-PE) and C-phycocyanin (C-PC), have been shown to exert immunomodulatory effects. This study evaluated the effects of a Phorphyra columbina protein fraction (PF) and R-PE and C-PC on rat primary splenocytes, macrophages, and T-lymphocytes in vitro. PF featured various protein species, including R-PE and C-PC. PF showed mitogenic effects on rat splenocytes and was nontoxic to cells except at 1 g L(-1) protein. IL-10 secretion was enhanced by PF in rat splenocytes, macrophages, and especially T-lymphocytes, whereas it was markedly diminished by R-PE and C-PC. The production of pro-inflammatory cytokines by macrophages was inhibited. The effect of PF on IL-10 was evoked by JNK/p38 MAPK and NF-κB-dependent pathways in macrophages and T-lymphocytes. It was concluded that PF has immunomodulatory effects on macrophages and lymphocytes that appear to be predominantly anti-inflammatory via up-regulated IL-10 production and cannot be accounted for by R-PE and C-PC.

Assuntos

Fatores Imunológicos/farmacologia , Ficobiliproteínas/farmacologia , Ficocianina/farmacologia , Ficoeritrina/farmacologia , Extratos Vegetais/farmacologia , Rodófitas/química , Animais , Anti-Inflamatórios/farmacologia , Proliferação de Células , Feminino , Interferon gama/metabolismo , Interleucina-10/genética , Interleucina-10/metabolismo , Interleucina-1beta/metabolismo , Interleucina-6/metabolismo , Proteínas Quinases JNK Ativadas por Mitógeno/metabolismo , L-Lactato Desidrogenase/análise , Macrófagos/imunologia , Mitógenos/farmacologia , NF-kappa B/metabolismo , Fosforilação , Ficobiliproteínas/isolamento & purificação , Ficocianina/isolamento & purificação , Ficoeritrina/isolamento & purificação , Ratos , Ratos Wistar , Alga Marinha/química , Baço/citologia , Baço/imunologia , Linfócitos T/imunologia , Fator de Necrose Tumoral alfa/metabolismo , Regulação para Cima , Proteínas Quinases p38 Ativadas por Mitógeno/metabolismo