PhD Scientific Days 2023

Translational Medicine - Posters P

Sulforaphane is able to Regulate the Activity of both M1 and M2 Human Macrophage Phenotypes

Text of the abstract

Introduction.
Macrophages are a heterogeneous cell population that plays a crucial role in inflammation and tissue remodeling. Two main macrophages phenotypes have been described; the M1 population, mainly involved in proinflammatory responses; and the M2 population, mainly involved in anti-inflammatory responses.

Sulforaphane is a phytochemical predominantly found in Brassica oleracea L. var. Italica (broccoli), which has been noted for its anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, apoptosis-inducing, and anticarcinogenic effects.

Aims.
The aim of this study was to analyze the effect of sulforaphane on the activity of human blood monocyte-derived M1 and M2 macrophage primary cultures.

Method. We established in vitro primary cultures of monocyte-derived macrophages obtained from peripheral blood of healthy donors that were differentiated toward either proinflammatory (M1) or anti-inflammatory (M2) cell profile populations. The cytotoxicity, the production of proinflammatory (TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-1β) and anti-inflammatory (IL-10) cytokines, and the phagocytosis capability on C. albicans yeast were analyzed on the cell cultures in response to the treatment with sulforaphane.

Results.
Our results show that exposure for 24h to SFN 25 µM induced a potent reduction on the activity of both human M1 and M2 macrophages, downregulating the proinflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokine release and their phagocytic capability on C. albicans.

Conclusion.
These data reinforce the potential use of sulforaphane as therapeutic agent not only for inflammatory diseases, but they also open new clinical possibilities for applications in other diseases. Considering the variability of their biological effects in different scenarios, a proper therapeutic strategy with Brassica bioactive compounds should be designed for each pathology.

Funding. This research was funded by Precipita from Fecyt, grant number PR294. TRP is funded by a grant from University of Murcia (IM767).