Immune Activation of RAW264.7 Macrophages by Low Molecular Weight Fucoidan Extracted from New Zealand Undaria pinnatifida

Abstract

Fucoidan, a sulfated polysaccharide extracted from brown seaweeds, has been shown to possess various bioactivities. In particular, low molecular weight fucoidan (LMWF) has been shown to have better bioactivities. In this study, a LMWF (<10 kDa) was extracted from New Zealand Undaria pinnatifida and investigated for its immune modulation effects. LMWF at a concentration range from 1 to 50 μg/mL exerted an effective immune activation in RAW264.7 macrophages. LMWF treatment promoted significant NO release, iNOS expression, and TNF-α and IL-6 secretion in a concentrationdependent manner. It also significantly stimulated the activation of NF-κB and MAPK signaling pathways, and specific inhibitors of NF-κB and MAPK pathways diminished the stimulation, confirming the activation pathways. These results indicate that LMWF possesses potential health benefits through immune-stimulation, which may lead to future pharmaceutical development.

Immune activation of murine RAW264.7 macrophages by sonicated and alkalized paramylon from Euglena gracilis

“…Macrophages are phagocytic cells that play a major role in the host defense system by phagocytosis or by the production of NO and TNF-α to kill foreign infectious bacteria, agents and even tumor cells [14]. As a key messenger, NO plays a significant role in the immune response during pathogen infection [32]. Our results indicate that paramylon significantly induces NO production in RAW264.7 macrophages in a dose-dependent manner (Fig.…”

Immune activation of murine RAW264.7 macrophages by sonicated and alkalized paramylon from Euglena gracilis

“…Macrophages are phagocytic cells that play a major role in the host defense system by phagocytosis or by the production of NO and TNF-α to kill foreign infectious bacteria, agents and even tumor cells [14]. As a key messenger, NO plays a significant role in the immune response during pathogen infection [36].…”

Immune activation of murine RAW264.7 macrophages by sonicated and alkalized paramylon from Euglena gracilis

“…Macrophages are phagocytic cells that play a major role in the host defense system by phagocytosis or by the production of NO and TNF-α to kill foreign infectious bacteria, agents and even tumor cells [14]. As a key messenger, NO plays a significant role in the immune response during pathogen infection [32].…”