Bursal Hexapeptide, A Potential Immunomodulator, Inhibits Tumor Cells Proliferation via p53 Signaling Pathway

The Bursa of Fabricius (BF) is acknowledged as the central humoral immune organ unique to birds. Bursal Hexapeptide (BHP, AGCCNG) is a recently reported bursal-derived bioactive peptide. However, there are few reports of the molecular basis of the mechanism on immune induction and potential antitumor activity of BHP.

In this paper, Gene microarray analyses demonstrated that BHP regulated expression of 1347 genes, of which 832 were up-regulated and 515 were down-regulated. Differentially expressed genes involved in various pathways were identified, of which 16 pathways were associated with immune responses and tumorigenic processes.

Specifically, we found that BHP selectively inhibited tumor cell proliferation. Furthermore, BHP enhanced antitumor factor p53 luciferase activity and stimulated expression of p53, p21, and p130 protein. Moreover, we observed that the inhibitory effect of BHP on cell proliferation and premature senescence in a p53-dependent manner.

Taken together, we uncovered that BHP may be involved in antitumor suppressor via p53 signaling pathway.