Published in:
Open Access 01-12-2018 | Research
Zymosan attenuates melanoma growth progression, increases splenocyte proliferation and induces TLR-2/4 and TNF-α expression in mice
Published in: Journal of Inflammation | Issue 1/2018
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Background
Melanoma is one of the most common types of skin malignancies. Since current therapies are suboptimal, considerable interest has focused on novel natural-based treatments. Toll-like receptors (TLRs) play an important role in evoking innate immunity against cancer cells. Zymosan, a known TLR-2 agonist, is a glucan derived from yeast cell walls with promising immunomodulatory effects. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether Saccharomyces cerevisiae-derived zymosan-modulated skin melanoma progression by regulation of TLR-2 and TLR-4 expression in peritoneal macrophages and serum TNF-α level.
Methods
Male C57BL/6 mice were divided into four groups: i) zymosan-treated (Z), ii) Melanoma-bearing mice (M), iii) Melanoma-bearing mice treated with zymosan (ZM) and iv) a healthy control group (negative control). 15 days after melanoma induction, mice were injected i.p. with zymosan (10 μg) daily for 4 consecutive days. Mice were CO2-euthanized and serum TNF-α level, TLR-2 and TLR-4 expression in peritoneal macrophages and tumor growth measured. Splenocytes were treated ex-vivo with zymosan to determine viability and proliferation.
Results
Tumor weight significantly decreased following therapeutic dosing with zymosan (P < 0.05). This was associated with zymosan-induced upregulation of TLR-2, TLR-4 and TNF-α mRNA in peritoneal macrophages and enhanced serum TNF-α levels (P < 0.05). Splenocyte number and viability were increased in a concentration-dependent manner by zymosan.
Conclusions
Our study suggests that zymosan-induced upregulation of TLR-2, TLR-4 and TNF-α gene expression and of TNF-α release; together with increased level of lymphocyte proliferation may play a role in the inhibition of melanoma progression.