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Resveratrol induces the suppression of tumor-derived CD4+CD25+ regulatory T cells

Yoolhee Yang1, Jin Ho Paik, Daeho Cho

  • 1Department of Life Science, Sookmyung Women's University, Hyochangwon-gil 52, Yongsan-gu, Seoul 140-742, Republic of Korea.

International Immunopharmacology
|March 11, 2008
PubMed

Insights

Resveratrol, a compound from grapes, suppresses regulatory T cells (Treg cells) and enhances immune responses. This suggests resveratrol could be a valuable adjuvant for cancer immunotherapy.

Area of Science:

  • Immunology
  • Cancer Research
  • Pharmacology

Background:

  • CD4+CD25+ regulatory T cells (Treg cells) suppress immune responses and hinder cancer immunotherapy.
  • Resveratrol, a natural compound, exhibits immunomodulatory and anticancer properties.
  • The role of resveratrol in modulating Treg cells in cancer remains to be fully elucidated.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the effect of resveratrol on Treg cell populations and immunomodulatory cytokines in a mouse cancer model.
  • To determine if resveratrol's effects are mediated through Treg cell modulation.
  • To assess resveratrol's potential as an adjuvant for cancer therapy.

Main Methods:

  • EG7 tumor-bearing C57BL/6 mice were treated with resveratrol.
  • Flow cytometry (FACS) was used to analyze CD4+CD25+ cell populations and FoxP3 expression.
  • Cytokine levels (TGF-beta and IFN-gamma) were measured in spleen cells.

Main Results:

  • Resveratrol inhibited CD4+CD25+ cell populations ex vivo in a dose-dependent manner.
  • Resveratrol treatment reduced FoxP3+ cells and TGF-beta secretion in vivo.
  • Resveratrol enhanced IFN-gamma expression in CD8+ T cells, indicating immune stimulation.

Conclusions:

  • Resveratrol suppresses Treg cells and downregulates immunosuppressive cytokines in tumor-bearing mice.
  • Resveratrol promotes an anti-tumor immune response by enhancing CD8+ T cell activity.
  • Resveratrol shows promise as an adjuvant material for vaccination-based cancer therapy.

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