Characterization and Immunomodulatory Effects of High Molecular Weight Fucoidan Fraction from the Sporophyll of Undaria pinnatifida in Cyclophosphamide-Induced Immunosuppressed Mice

Hee Joon Yoo, Dong Ju You, Kwang Won Lee

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

52 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Immunomodulation involves two mechanisms, immunostimulation and immunosuppression. It is a complex mechanism that regulates the pathophysiology and pathogenesis of various diseases affecting the immune system. Immunomodulators can be used as immunostimulators to reduce the side effects of drugs that induce immunosuppression. In this study, we characterized the chemical composition of high molecular weight fucoidan (HMWF) and low molecular weight fucoidan and compared their functions as natural killer (NK) cell-derived immunostimulators in vitro. We also tested the effectiveness of HMWF, which has a relatively high function in vitro, as an immunostimulator in immunosuppressed animal models. In these models, HWMF significantly restored NK cell cytotoxicity and granzyme B release to the control group level. In addition, the expression of interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-2, IL-4, IL-5, IL-12, interferon (IFN)-γ, and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α also increased in the spleen. This study suggests that HMWF acts as an effective immunostimulant under immunosuppressive conditions.

Original languageEnglish
Article number447
JournalMarine drugs
Volume17
Issue number8
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2019 Jul 29

Bibliographical note

Funding Information:
This research was supported by a Korea University Grant (L1900451) and the National Research Foundation of Korea (NRF) grant funded by the Korean government (MEST) (R1706903). This research was also supported by the School of Life Sciences and Biotechnology for BK21 PLUS, Korea University.

Funding Information:
Funding: This research was supported by a Korea University Grant (L1900451) and the National Research Foundation of Korea (NRF) grant funded by the Korean government (MEST) (R1706903). This research was also supported by the School of Life Sciences and Biotechnology for BK21 PLUS, Korea University.

Publisher Copyright:
© 2019 by the authors.

Keywords

  • Fucoidan
  • High molecular weight fucoidan
  • Immunosuppression
  • NK activity

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Drug Discovery

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