Epigallocatechin-3-gallate reduces airway inflammation in mice through binding to proinflammatory chemokines and inhibiting inflammatory cell recruitment

J Immunol. 2011 Mar 15;186(6):3693-700. doi: 10.4049/jimmunol.1002876. Epub 2011 Feb 9.

Abstract

One major activity of chemokines is the recruitment of immune cells to sites of infection and inflammation. CD4(+) Th1 cells play critical roles in host defense against pathogens and in the pathogenesis of many immune-mediated diseases. It was reported that epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) exhibits anti-inflammatory properties, but the mechanisms have not been completely defined. In this study, we found that EGCG markedly decreased recruitment of murine OVA-specific Th1 cells and other inflammatory cells into the airways in a Th1 adoptive-transfer mouse model. In vitro analysis revealed that EGCG inhibited CXCR3 ligand-driven chemotaxis of murine and human cells. Surface plasmon resonance studies revealed that EGCG bound directly to chemokines CXCL9, CXCL10, and CXCL11. These results indicated that one anti-inflammatory mechanism of EGCG is binding of proinflammatory chemokines and limiting their biological activities. These findings support further development of EGCG as a potent therapeutic for inflammatory diseases.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Binding Sites / immunology
  • Catechin / analogs & derivatives*
  • Catechin / metabolism
  • Catechin / physiology
  • Cell Migration Inhibition / immunology*
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Chemokine CXCL10 / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Chemokine CXCL10 / metabolism
  • Chemokine CXCL11 / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Chemokine CXCL11 / metabolism
  • Chemokine CXCL9 / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Chemokine CXCL9 / metabolism
  • Chemokines / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Chemokines / metabolism*
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Inflammation Mediators / metabolism
  • Inflammation Mediators / physiology*
  • Lung / immunology*
  • Lung / metabolism
  • Lung / pathology*
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred BALB C
  • Mice, SCID
  • Mice, Transgenic

Substances

  • Chemokine CXCL10
  • Chemokine CXCL11
  • Chemokine CXCL9
  • Chemokines
  • Cxcl10 protein, mouse
  • Cxcl11 protein, mouse
  • Cxcl9 protein, mouse
  • Inflammation Mediators
  • Catechin
  • epigallocatechin gallate