The Role of Sulfates in Fucoidan Extracted from Fucus evanescens in Proinflammatory Cytokines Production by Human Peripheral Blood Cells in vitro

Abstract

Fucoidans, sulfated polysaccharides extracted from brown algae (Phaeophyceae), have a wide spectrum of bioactivity. Studies of molecular structures of fucoidans and deciphering of molecular elements' impact on their biological activities are at their active stage. The article shows the role of sulfates and acetyl groups in fucoidan isolated from Fucus evanescens in proinflammatory cytokines production by human heparinized unfractionated peripheral blood cells. Material and Methods. The cells were incubated with native fucoidan (N) and its deacetylated (deA), partially desulfated (deS), and both deacetylated and partially desulfated (deAdeS) derivatives (100 μg/mL). Cytokine concentrations were determined in cell supernatants by ELISA in a 'sandwich' modification with commercial kits. Results. Incubation with N fucoidan led to an increase of IL-6, TNF-α, IL-8 levels in supernatants. Partial removal of sulfate groups cancelled or decreased stimulating effect for IL-6, TNF-α, cytokines, but not for IL-8. deAc fucoidan action was comparable with N polysaccharide. Native polysaccharide and its chemically modified derivatives did not change IFN-γ и IL-10 cytokine production. Conclusion. The obtained results suggest that sulfates have a significant role in cytokine-producing properties of fucoidan extracted from brown algae F.evanescens.