DOI: 10.5176/ 2251-3159_1.1.1
Authors: Lawrence K Duffy, Linda Nicholas-Figueroa, Kriya L. Dunlap
Abstract: Inflammation, neurodevelopment, and cancer are
associated with cellular features of signal transduction using
molecules originally identified with functions that are part of the
extended immune system. The expression of interleukin-1 (IL-1)
and interleukin-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1Ra) is currently not
well understood in human neuronal cell types. The development
of neutraceuticals from natural products as inexpensive
preventative therapies to protect against neurodevelopment
disorders, neurodegeneration and cancer is a current focus of
biotechnology research. To further study the role of cytokines in
early stage neuroinflammation, neurodegeneration and brain
cancer, SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cells were characterized for the
presence of the IL-1 and IL1Ra, as well as vascular endothelial
growth factor (VEGF). The expression of these cytokines was
measured using sensitive ELISA assays before and after stressing
the cells with TNF-. Using partially purified extract fractions of
the wild Alaskan Bog Blueberries (BBX) on these cytokines and
VEGF, the cells were pretreated with different BBX extract prior
to TNF- exposure, and cytokine measurement. Intracellular IL-
1Ra levels increased (13.6 g/mL) after exposure to TNF- when
compared to non-treated cells (6.7 g/mL). VEGF levels in the
culture supernatant also increased compared to the control, 217.3
g/mL versus 172.2 g/mL, respectively. BBX 8 increased
intracellular IL-1Ra protein levels (25.2 g/mL), while returning
VEGF levels to normal. We hypothesize that compounds in
blueberries enhance the signal transduction feedback leading to a
restoration of the intracellular balance between IL-1 and IL-1Ra
signals.
Keywords: Blueberries, Cancer, Cytokines, IL-1Ra, Neuroinflammation,
VEGF
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