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Curcumin Inhibits T Follicular Helper Cell Differentiation in Mice with Dextran Sulfate Sodium (DSS)-Induced Colitis
Hai-Yan Wang1,2, Wei Ge3, Su-Qing Liu1,4
1Formula-Pattern Research Center, Jiangxi University of Chinese Medicine, 1688 Meiling Road, Nanchang 330004, Jiangxi Province, P. R. China.
The American Journal of Chinese Medicine
|December 21, 2021
Summary
Curcumin, a natural compound, alleviates ulcerative colitis in mice by regulating follicular helper T cell (Tfh) differentiation. This study reveals curcumin
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Gastroenterology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Follicular helper T cells (Tfh) are crucial for humoral immunity but their dysregulation is linked to autoimmune diseases like inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).
- Curcumin, derived from turmeric, shows therapeutic potential for IBD, yet its immunomodulatory mechanisms require detailed investigation.
- Understanding curcumin's effects on Tfh cells can elucidate its anti-inflammatory properties in IBD.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the immunomodulatory effects of curcumin on Tfh cell differentiation in a mouse model of ulcerative colitis.
- To determine how curcumin impacts pro-inflammatory cytokine levels and colonic tissue damage during colitis.
- To explore the molecular mechanisms by which curcumin influences Tfh-related transcription factors.
Main Methods:
- Ulcerative colitis was induced in BALB/c mice using dextran sodium sulfate (DSS).
- Curcumin was administered concurrently with DSS for seven days.
- Flow cytometry and Western blotting were used to analyze Tfh cell populations, their subsets, and related transcription factors in colonic tissues.
Main Results:
- Curcumin treatment improved clinical signs of colitis, including weight changes, colonic length, and tissue damage scores.
- Curcumin significantly reduced pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-6, IL-12, IL-23, TGF-β1) in colonic tissues.
- Curcumin modulated Tfh cell differentiation, downregulating specific subsets (Tfh17, Tem-Tfh) and upregulating others (Tfh1, Tfh10, Tfh21, Tfr, Tcm-Tfh, Tem-GC Tfh).
- Curcumin inhibited key Tfh transcription factors (BCL-6, p-STAT3, Foxp1, Roquin-1, Roquin-2, SAP) while upregulating Blimp-1 and STAT3 protein levels.
Conclusions:
- Curcumin demonstrates significant therapeutic effects in DSS-induced ulcerative colitis in mice.
- Curcumin exerts its anti-inflammatory effects by rebalancing Tfh cell differentiation and modulating associated signaling pathways.
- These findings highlight curcumin as a promising agent for managing IBD through targeted immunomodulation of Tfh cells.
