Propolis anti-inflammatory effects on MAGE-1 and retinoic acid-treated dendritic cells and on Th1 and T regulatory cells

Author(s)

Karina Basso Santiago ^[1] ; Bruno José Conti ^[2] ; Eliza de Oliveira Cardoso ^[3] ; Fernanda Lopes Conte ^[4] ; Karen Ingrid Tasca ^[5] ; Graziela Gorete Romagnoli ^[6] ; Marjorie de Assis Golim ^[7] ; Maria Tereza Cruz ^[8] ; José Maurício Sforcin ^[9]

Affiliation

^[1] São Paulo State University. Institute of Biosciences - Brasil

^[2] São Paulo State University. Institute of Biosciences - Brasil

^[3] São Paulo State University. Institute of Biosciences - Brasil

^[4] São Paulo State University. Institute of Biosciences - Brasil

^[5] São Paulo State University. Institute of Biosciences - Brasil

^[6] São Paulo State University. Institute of Biosciences - Brasil

^[7] São Paulo State University. School of Medicine - Brasil

^[8] University of Coimbra. Faculty of Pharmacy. Center for Neurosciences and Cellular Biology - Portugal

^[9] São Paulo State University. Institute of Biosciences - Brasil

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: Journal of Venomous Animals and Toxins including Tropical Diseases; v. 29, 2023-01-13.

Abstract

Abstract Background: Propolis exhibits huge potential in the pharmaceutical industry. In the present study, its effects were investigated on dendritic cells (DCs) stimulated with a tumor antigen (MAGE-1) and retinoic acid (RA) and on T lymphocytes to observe a possible differential activation of T lymphocytes, driving preferentially to Th1 or Treg cells. Methods: Cell viability, lymphocyte proliferation, gene expression (T-bet and FoxP3), and cytokine production by DCs (TNF-α, IL-10, IL-6 and IL-1β) and lymphocytes (IFN-γ and TGF-β) were analyzed. Results: MAGE-1 and RA alone or in combination with propolis inhibited TNF-α production and induced a higher lymphoproliferation compared to control, while MAGE-1 + propolis induced IL-6 production. Propolis in combination with RA induced FoxP3 expression. MAGE-1 induced IFN-γ production while propolis inhibited it, returning to basal levels. RA inhibited TGF-β production, what was counteracted by propolis. Conclusion: Propolis affected immunological parameters inhibiting pro-inflammatory cytokines and favoring the regulatory profile, opening perspectives for the control of inflammatory conditions. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 15/02596-3 - MODULATION OF ANTIGEN PRESENTATION BY PROPOLIS AND POSSIBLE DIFFERENTIAL ACTIVATION OF Th1 AND Treg LYMPHOCYTES
• Grantee: Karina Basso Santiago
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctoral
• FAPESP's process: 15/03493-3 - Propolis: modulation of antigen presentation and differential activation of T lymphocytes
• Grantee: José Maurício Sforcin
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants