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Updated: May 17, 2026
08:02
In Vivo Augmentation of Gut-Homing Regulatory T Cell Induction
Published on: January 22, 2020
Isoflavones, genistein and daidzein, regulate mucosal immune response by suppressing dendritic cell function
John Wei1, Shiven Bhatt, Lisa M Chang
1The Jaffe Food Allergy Institute, Division of Allergy and Immunology, Department of Pediatrics, Mount Sinai School of Medicine, New York, New York, United States of America.
Plos One
|October 31, 2012
Summary
Soybean isoflavones suppress airway inflammation by inhibiting dendritic cell (DC) maturation and function. This study shows isoflavones reduce DC activation and their ability to stimulate T cells, impacting immune responses.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Molecular Biology
- Dietary Science
Background:
- Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) from gram-negative bacteria acts as an adjuvant, promoting airway inflammation.
- Isoflavones, found in soybeans, possess anti-inflammatory properties.
- Dendritic cells (DCs) play a crucial role in initiating immune responses, including those involved in airway inflammation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of isoflavones on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated human dendritic cell (DC) activation.
- To evaluate the effect of isoflavones on DC-mediated effector cell functions, including T cell activation and natural killer (NK) cell interactions.
- To assess the in vivo efficacy of isoflavones in suppressing upper airway inflammation in a mouse model.
Main Methods:
- Human monocyte-derived DCs (MDDCs) were matured with LPS or TNF-α in the presence or absence of isoflavones (genistein, daidzein).
- DC surface marker expression (CD83, CD80, CD86, MHC class I/II) was analyzed by flow cytometry.
- Co-culture experiments with allogeneic naïve CD4+ T cells and autologous NK cells were performed to assess T cell proliferation (IFN-γ+) and NK cell degranulation, respectively. In vivo studies involved a mouse model of ovalbumin-induced airway inflammation.
Main Results:
- Isoflavones significantly suppressed the expression of DC maturation markers (CD83, CD80, CD86) and MHC class I, but not MHC class II.
- Isoflavone treatment inhibited LPS-stimulated DCs' ability to induce IFN-γ production in CD4+ T cells.
- In co-culture, isoflavones increased NK cell degranulation and DC cytotoxicity. Dietary isoflavones suppressed mucosal immune responses in a mouse model of airway inflammation.
Conclusions:
- Soybean isoflavones effectively suppress immune sensitization by inhibiting DC maturation.
- Isoflavones modulate DC-mediated effector cell functions, including T cell activation and NK cell activity.
- These findings suggest a potential therapeutic role for isoflavones in managing allergic airway inflammation.
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