Enhancement of interferon-gamma production in glycyrrhizin-treated human peripheral lymphocytes in response to concanavalin A and to surface antigen of hepatitis B virus

Proc Soc Exp Biol Med. 1986 Feb;181(2):205-10. doi: 10.3181/00379727-181-42241.

Abstract

The effects of glycyrrhizin, a component of licorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra) roots, on the production of interferon-gamma in human peripheral lymphocyte-macrophage cultures by concanavalin A (Con A) was examined. Interferon-gamma production in normal lymphocyte-macrophage cultures treated with 10 to 100 micrograms/ml of glycyrrhizin at 37 degrees C for 12 hr or longer, and then treated with 10 micrograms/ml of Con A, was enhanced four to eight times compared to control cell cultures. Lymphocyte-macrophage cultures treated with 10 to 100 micrograms/ml of glycyrrhizin alone did not produce interferon. No significant difference in the adsorption of [3H]Con A to glycyrrhizin-treated and control lymphocyte-macrophage cultures was found, but RNA and protein synthesis of the treated lymphocytes was increased compared to control cells; DNA synthesis, however, was reduced. Collaboration between enriched T-lymphocytes and macrophages, both treated with glycyrrhizin, was needed for the enhancement of interferon-gamma production. A smaller increase in interferon production was also observed in the glycyrrhizin-treated peripheral lymphocyte-macrophage cultures derived from an asymptomatic carrier of hepatitis B virus, in response to Con A and surface antigen of hepatitis B virus.

MeSH terms

  • Cells, Cultured
  • Concanavalin A / pharmacology
  • Glycyrrhetinic Acid / analogs & derivatives*
  • Glycyrrhetinic Acid / pharmacology
  • Glycyrrhizic Acid
  • Hepatitis B Surface Antigens / immunology*
  • Humans
  • Interferon Inducers*
  • Interferon-gamma / biosynthesis*
  • Lymphocytes / drug effects
  • Lymphocytes / immunology
  • Lymphocytes / metabolism*
  • Macrophages / drug effects
  • Macrophages / immunology
  • Macrophages / metabolism
  • Neutralization Tests

Substances

  • Hepatitis B Surface Antigens
  • Interferon Inducers
  • Concanavalin A
  • Glycyrrhizic Acid
  • Interferon-gamma
  • Glycyrrhetinic Acid