Effects of Kumaizasa (Sasa senanensis) Leaf Extract on Innate Immune Regulation in HEK293 Cells and Macrophages

Abstract

Background/aim: We investigated the effect of Kumaizasa leaf extract (KLE) on innate immunity using the HEK293 and RAW 264.7 cell lines.

Materials and methods: KLE, lipopolysaccharides (LPS), or KLE with LPS were added to RAW 264.7 cells. The TNF-α and IL-1β mRNA expression was then quantified. The expression of MAPKs, NFĸB, TNF-α and IL-1β proteins was also quantified. In addition, KLE was added to HEK293 cells and the IL-8 concentration was measured.

Results: In RAW 264.7 cells, KLE increased the levels of TNF-α and IL-1β mRNA. By contrast, when KLE and LPS were added to RAW 264.7 cells, the increase in TNF-α and IL-1β mRNA was ameliorated. Similarly, the expression of JNK and ERK proteins was reduced. The addition of KLE to HEK293 cells induced IL-8 production.

Conclusion: Based on these results, a KLE-mediated mechanism may regulate immunity by suppressing the expression of JNK and ERK, which are involved in inflammatory signal transduction.

Keywords: HEK293; Kumaizasa; RAW 264.7; Sasa senanensis; c-Jun N-terminal kinase; extracellular signal-regulated kinase; interleukin-1β; toll-like receptor 2; toll-like receptor 4; tumor necrosis factor-α.