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Polyphenolic antioxidants enhance IgE production
Jian Gong1, Fu-Tong Liu, Swey-Shen Chen
1Division of Allergy, La Jolla Institute for Allergy and Immunology, San Diego, California, USA.
Immunological Investigations
|October 22, 2004
Summary
Tobacco polyphenols, like chlorogenic acid (CGA), significantly boost immunoglobulin E (IgE) production in rodents, mimicking allergic responses. This suggests polyphenols, not nicotine, drive IgE elevation in smokers and may influence Th2 immune responses.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Toxicology
- Allergy Research
Background:
- Elevated total IgE and IL-4 levels in smokers resemble those in asthmatics.
- The specific agents responsible for increased IgE in smokers remain unclear.
- Tobacco contains polyphenols, such as chlorogenic acid (CGA) and rutin, and nicotine.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate whether tobacco polyphenols potentiate immunoglobulin E (IgE) production in a rodent model.
- To differentiate the effects of tobacco polyphenols from nicotine on IgE production.
Main Methods:
- Mice were administered rutin or CGA orally or via intraperitoneal/intranasal routes during antigen sensitization and challenge.
- Antigen-specific IgE and IgG responses were quantified.
- Interleukin (IL)-4, IL-12, and interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) levels were measured in mesenteric lymph node cultures.
Main Results:
- Chlorogenic acid (CGA) significantly enhanced total IgE responses, even at low concentrations (0.1%).
- CGA promoted Th2-biased immune responses, evidenced by increased IgG1 but not IgG2a/IgG2b.
- Intranasal administration of CGA induced antigen-specific and serum IgE production without alum adjuvant; nicotine showed minimal effects on IgE.
Conclusions:
- Tobacco polyphenols, specifically CGA and rutin, potentiate IgE production in vivo.
- Polyphenolic antioxidants promote Th2 immune cell development.
- The redox microenvironment may critically influence IgE production and T cell responses, potentially counteracting Th1-mediated damage.