Chrysophanol Mitigates T Cell Activation by Regulating the Expression of CD40 Ligand in Activated T Cells

Since T lymphocytes act as mediators between innate and acquired immunity, playing a crucial role in chronic inflammation, regulation of T cell activation to suitable levels is important. Chrysophanol, a member of the anthraquinone family, is known to possess several bioactivities, including anti-microbial, anti-cancer, and hepatoprotective activities, however, little information is available on the inhibitory effects of chrysophanol on T cell activation. To elucidate whether chrysophanol regulates the activity of T cells, IL-2 expression in activated Jurkat T cells pretreated with chrysophanol was assessed. We showed that chrysophanol is not cytotoxic to Jurkat T cells under culture conditions using RPMI (Rosewell Park Memorial Institute) medium. Pretreatment with chrysophanol inhibited IL-2 production in T cells stimulated by CD3/28 antibodies or SEE-loaded Raji B cells. We also demonstrated that chrysophanol suppressed the expression of the CD40 ligand (CD40L) in activated T cells, and uncontrolled conjugation between B cells by pretreatment with chrysophanol reduced T cell activation. Besides, treatment with chrysophanol of Jurkat T cells blocked the NFκB signaling pathway, resulting in the abrogation of MAPK (mitogen-activated protein kinase) in activated T cells. These results provide novel insights into the suppressive effect of chrysophanol on T cell activation through the regulation of CD40L expression in T cell receptor-mediated stimulation conditions.