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Immunomodulatory Effects of Monascus spp.-Fermented Sacccharina japonica Extracts on the Cytokine Gene Expression of THP-1 Cells

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Abstract

The immunomodulatory effects of Monascus-fermented Saccharina japonica extract on anti- and pro-inflammatory cytokines gene expression of THP-1 cells were evaluated. Extracts of fermented samples showed higher phenolic, flavonoid, protein, and reducing sugar contents than unfermented one. Fermented samples were rich in many bioactive compounds determined by GC-MS analyses and showed cell viability greater than 85% in MTS assay. Regarding the anti-inflammatory and pro-inflammatory activities of the different samples, Q-PCR analyses revealed that IL-10 gene expression in THP-1 cells was significantly higher (p < 0.05) in cells treated with the SjMp or SjMk sample than those treated with the unfermented sample. Cells treated with the SjMp extract or lipopolysaccharide (LPS) showed significantly (p < 0.05) higher relative gene expression of IL-4 cytokine than cells treated with SjMk or SjU extracts. The relative gene expression of IFN-α was higher in cells treated with SjMp followed by LPS, SjMk, and SjU. TGF-β expression was higher in LPS-stimulated cells followed by SjMk and other samples. Cells treated with SjMp exhibited significantly higher pro-inflammatory (IL-6, IL-8, TNF-α, and NF-κB) cytokine gene expression than cells treated with SjU. These results revealed that extracts from S. japonica fermented with Monascus spp. regulate cytokine gene expression.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Biotechnology, College of Fisheries Science, Pukyong National University, 45 Yongso-ro, Nam-gu, Busan, 48513, Republic of Korea

    Sharmin Suraiya, Won Je Jang, Hwa Jin Cho, Yu Bin Choi, Hae Dae Park & In-Soo Kong

  2. Department of Fisheries and Marine Bioscience, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Science and Technology University, Gopalganj, 8100, Bangladesh

    Sharmin Suraiya

  3. Department of Biotechnology, Chonnam National University, 50, Daehak-ro, Yeosu, 59626, Republic of Korea

    Jin-Man Kim

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  1. Sharmin Suraiya
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  2. Won Je Jang
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Highlights

• Immunomodulatory effect of red mold fermented S. japonica extract was evaluated.

• Pro and anti-inflammatory cytokine genes were used to determine immunomodulation.

• Q-PCR was used for cytokine gene expression of THP-1 cells.

• SjMp sample stimulated cells showed higher cytokine gene expression.

• Fermented samples were rich in pigments; bioactive compounds cause immunomodulation.

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Suraiya, S., Jang, W.J., Cho, H.J. et al. Immunomodulatory Effects of Monascus spp.-Fermented Sacccharina japonica Extracts on the Cytokine Gene Expression of THP-1 Cells. Appl Biochem Biotechnol 188, 498–513 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12010-018-02930-x

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