Beta-carotene stimulates human leukocytes to secrete a novel cytokine

• Published in: Journal of leukocyte biology Vol. 45; no. 3; pp. 255 - 261
• Main Authors: Abril, Edward R., Rybski, James A., Scuderi, Philip, Watson, Ronald R.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Bethesda, MD Society for Leukocyte Biology 01.03.1989; Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology
• Subjects: Adjuvants, Immunologic - pharmacology; Animals; Antineoplastic Agents - pharmacology; beta Carotene; Biological and medical sciences; Biological Factors - metabolism; carotenoid; Carotenoids - pharmacology; Cytokines; Cytotoxicity, Immunologic; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Fundamental immunology; Humans; Immune Sera - immunology; Immunobiology; In Vitro Techniques; Leukocytes - drug effects; Leukocytes - metabolism; macrophage; Mice; Modulation of the immune response (stimulation, suppression); monokine; Protease Inhibitors - pharmacology; retinoic acid; Retinoids - pharmacology; retinol; Tumor Cells, Cultured; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha - biosynthesis; Human; Character; Immunomodulation; Leukocyte; Cytotoxicity test; Monokine; Retinoids; Enzyme immunoassay; In vitro; Biological activity; Production; Carotenoid; ELISA assay; Macrophage
• ISSN: 0741-5400; 1938-3673
• DOI: 10.1002/jlb.45.3.255

The effect of beta‐carotene on cytokine production by human peripheral blood leukocytes was tested. Beta‐carotene stimulated the secretion of a novel cytotoxic cytokine when peripheral blood cells were exposed to carotenoid concentrations between 10‐6 and 10‐10M. Beta‐carotene–treated supernatants caused the cytolysis of four out of the six human tumor cell lines tested. Low level toxicity was also observed when normal diploid fibroblast lines were exposed to beta‐carotene–treated leukocyte supernatants. The cytotoxic activity elicited by beta‐carotene was found to be distinct from characterized cytokines based on both antisera neutralization and target cell specificity studies. This study demonstrates that beta‐carotene can induce human leukocytes to secrete one or more cytokines that can manifest cytotoxic activity against human tumor cells in vitro.