Cytopiloyne, a polyacetylenic glucoside from Bidens pilosa, has been shown by our previous study [1] to control or prevent type I diabetes in
non-obese diabetic mice, via suppression of the differentiation of Th0 cell into Th1
cells and the promotion of their differentiation into Th2 cells. In this study, we
investigated the immuno-modulatory effect of cytopiloyne on the maturation and cellular
function of human monocyte-derived dendritic cells (DCs). In an allogeneic mixed lymphocyte
reaction (MLR) assay, we observed that cytopiloyne treatment shifted the DC-polarizing
capacity from the Th1 to the Th2 pathway. Importantly, cytopiloyne exhibited the unique
capability to inhibit the LPS-induced expression of IL-12 and IL-10 but not of IL-6
and TNF-α in test DCs. Further studies suggested that inhibition of p40 mRNA expression
could be the underlying cause of cytopiloyne suppression of LPS induced IL-12 p70
protein expression in DCs. Together our results suggest that cytopiloyne can effectively
suppress the maturation of human DCs and the differentiation of Th1 cells. This phytocompound
may therefore be a useful modulator for regulation of various human immune cell types,
with potential health care application.
References: 1. Chang, C.L.-T. et al. (2007) Journal of Immunology 178:6984–6993.
