Journal
PLANTA MEDICA
Volume 67, Issue 8, Pages 737-742Publisher
GEORG THIEME VERLAG KG
DOI: 10.1055/s-2001-18358
Keywords
Aphanizomenon flos-aquae (Nostocaceae); Spirulina platensis (Oscillatoriaceae); Chlorella pyrenoidosa (Oocystaceae); polysaccharide; THP-1 monocytes; nuclear factor kappa B
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This research describes the identification of three new high molecular weight polysaccharide preparations isolated from food-grade microalgae that are potent activators of human monocytes/macrophages: Immulina from Spirulina platensis, Immunon from Aphanizomenon flos-aquae, and Immurella from Chlorella pyrenoidosa. These polysaccharides are structurally complex and have estimated molecular weights above ten million daltons. All three polysaccharides are highly water soluble and comprise between 0.5 % and 2.0% of microalgal dry weight. Immunostimulatory activity was measured using a transcription factor-based bioassay for nuclear factor kappa B (NF-kappa B) activation in THP-1 human monocytes/ macrophages. Using this system the EC50 values for these microalgal polysaccharides are between 20 and 110 ng/ml (about 10pM). THP-1 activation was confirmed by measuring immune cytokine mRNA induction using reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Each polysaccharide substantially increased mRNA levels of interleukin-1 beta (IL-1 beta) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha). These polysaccharides are between one hundred and one thousand times more active for in vitro monocyte activation than polysaccharide preparations that are currently used clinically for cancer immunotherapy.
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