Gene expression profiling related to anti-inflammatory properties of curcumin in K562 leukemia cells

A strong relationship exists between inflammation and carcinogenesis. To bring insights into the anti-inflammatory mechanisms by which chemopreventive agents, such as curcumin, are able to counteract the action of inflammation mediators, such as tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), we compared gene expression profiles in K562 cells treated with curcumin-TNF-alpha versus TNF-alpha alone. Microarray data analysis revealed that, among the 376 differentially expressed genes by curcumin treatment, genes belonging to the cell cycle and the Janus kinase-signal transducer and activator of transcription signaling pathways were downregulated. This study also indicated that the upregulation of the heat shock family genes is highly implicated in the anti-inflammatory effect of curcumin.