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Piperine impairs the migration and T cell-activating function of dendritic cells
Gemma Rodgers1, Carolyn D Doucette1, David A Soutar1
1Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia B3H 4R2, Canada.
Toxicology Letters
|December 8, 2015
Summary
Piperine, found in black pepper, inhibits dendritic cell (DC) migration and function. This suggests piperine may help control immune responses to self-antigens and transplanted tissues.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Piperine, an alkaloid from black pepper, possesses anti-inflammatory properties.
- The impact of piperine on dendritic cell (DC) migration and T cell activation remains unexplored.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate piperine's effects on dendritic cell (DC) migration and T cell-activating functions.
Main Methods:
- Bone marrow-derived mouse DCs were matured with 100 μM piperine.
- In vitro and in vivo migration assays were performed.
- T cell activation assays involved co-culturing T cells with piperine-treated DCs.
Main Results:
- Piperine reduced DC migration in vitro and in vivo.
- Piperine-treated DCs showed altered chemokine receptor expression (reduced CCR7, elevated CCR5) and decreased co-stimulatory molecule expression (CD40, MHC class II).
- Piperine impaired DC cytokine production and reduced T cell activation, including interferon-γ and IL-2 expression and T cell proliferation.
Conclusions:
- Piperine exposure during DC maturation leads to an immature phenotype, inhibiting DC migration and function.
- Piperine's ability to down-regulate DC-driven T cell responses suggests potential therapeutic applications for autoimmune diseases and transplantation.
