Immune Netw.  2019 Oct;19(5):e35. 10.4110/in.2019.19.e35.

Curcumin Elevates T(FH) Cells and Germinal Center B Cell Response for Antibody Production in Mice

• Kim DH
• Lee HG
• Choi JM

• KMID: 2461199
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4110/in.2019.19.e35

Abstract

Curcumin is a natural product extracted from Curcuma longa. It has been reported as a potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory compound. Previous studies have demonstrated that curcumin suppresses pro-inflammatory cytokine production via inhibition of NF-κB in macrophages. However, its role in adaptive immune cells such as T cells, in vivo, has not clearly been elucidated. Here, we examined the effects of curcumin in T follicular helper (T(FH)) cells and on Ab production during NP-ovalbumin immunization in mice. The results revealed that curcumin administered daily significantly increased CXCR5⁺B-cell lymphoma 6⁺ T(FH) cells and CD95⁺GL-7⁺ germinal center (GC) B cells in draining lymph nodes. In addition, curcumin treatment in mice induced total Ab production as well as high affinity IgG1 and IgG2b Ab production. Collectively, these results suggest that curcumin has positive regulatory roles in T(FH) cell functions and GC responses. Thus, this could be an advantageous supplement to enhance humoral immunity against infectious diseases and cancer.

Keyword

Curcumin; T lymphocytes; T(FH); Immunoglobulins

MeSH Terms

Animals
Antibody Formation*
B-Lymphocytes
Communicable Diseases
Curcuma
Curcumin*
Germinal Center*
Immunity, Humoral
Immunization
Immunoglobulin G
Immunoglobulins
Lymph Nodes
Lymphoma
Macrophages
Mice*
T-Lymphocytes
Curcumin
Immunoglobulin G
Immunoglobulins