Immunomodulatory properties of Tamm-Horsfall glycoprotein (THP) and uromodulin

• Main Authors: Hong, Chia Yean, Wong, Nyet Kui, Abdullah, Maha
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Allergy, Asthma and Immunology Association of Thailand 2015
• Online Access: http://psasir.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/37938/1/Immunomodulatory%20properties%20of%20Tamm-Horsfall%20glycoprotein%20%28THP%29%20and%20uromodulin.pdf; http://psasir.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/37938/; http://thailand.digitaljournals.org/index.php/APJAI/article/view/27305

Background: Tamm-Horsfall glycoprotein (THP) and uromodulin are the most abundant glycoproteins in non-pregnant women’s/men’s and pregnant women’s urine, respectively. However, the bioactivities of these glycoproteins are still unclear. Objective: To evaluate the immunomodulatory properties of THP and uromodulin on human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC). Methods: THP and uromodulin isolated with diatomaceous earth filtration were subjected to several bioassays, such as MTS viability assay, immunophenotyping and cytokine analysis. Results: MTS viability assay and immunophenotyping analysis showed that uromodulin has greater inhibitory activities in suppressing PBMC viability and the percentage of CD4+ T helper cells and CD8+ cytotoxic T cells, compared to that of THP. In cytokine analysis, THP tended to induce pro-inflammatory cytokines such as IL-1β, TNF and Th1 cytokine IFN-γ; while uromodulin only induced IL-1β and suppressed both Th1 cytokine IFN-γ and Th2 cytokine IL-10. Conclusion: These results demonstrate that uromodulin has greater immunosuppressive activities and lower inductive property in relation to activation of immune cells, which provides a more tolerant environment for the developing fetus.