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C-phycocyanin acts as a positive immunomodulator in different primary and secondary organs of mice
Mariana Teixeira Santos Figueiredo Salgado1,2,3, Mayara Cristini Sebastião Silva3,4, Ricardo Correia da Silva5
1Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Fisiológicas, ICB, FURG, Rio Grande, Brazil.
Objective:
C-Phycocyanin (C-PC) is a photosynthetic pigment with interesting therapeutic properties. However, its effectiveness in modulating the immune system cell populations has not been elucidated. We analyzed the action of C-PC on the modulation of mice immune system.
Methods:
The animals were treated subcutaneously with C-PC for 3 consecutive days. On the fourth day, the animals were euthanized and cells from different organs were analyzed by flow cytometry. Cytotoxicity was analyzed using biochemical parameters.
Results:
The results showed that C-PC increased the total cellularity in percentage and absolute number in the inguinal lymph node as well as the absolute number of B cells, CD4+ and CD8+ T cells and myeloid cells. The percentage of B cells was also increased in the lymph node. In the bone marrow, there was a reduction in immature and mature B cells. In contrast, C-PC increased the percentage and absolute number of myeloid cells in the bone marrow. C-PC administration also promoted an increase of CD4+ and CD8+ T cells in the thymus, and a reduction in these populations in the spleen.
Conclusion:
The data show for the first time the positive immunomodulatory role of C-PC by recruiting distinct populations of immune system cells to the treatment-draining lymphoid organ.
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