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

Asian Pac J Allergy Immunol. 2015 Mar;33(1):26-32. doi: 10.12932/AP0463.33.1.2015.

Abstract

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.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Immunologic Factors / isolation & purification
  • Immunologic Factors / pharmacology*
  • Immunologic Factors / urine
  • Immunophenotyping
  • Interferon-gamma / biosynthesis
  • Interferon-gamma / metabolism
  • Interleukin-10 / biosynthesis
  • Interleukin-10 / metabolism
  • Interleukin-1beta / biosynthesis
  • Interleukin-1beta / metabolism
  • Lymphocyte Activation / drug effects
  • Male
  • Pregnancy
  • Primary Cell Culture
  • T-Lymphocytes, Cytotoxic / cytology
  • T-Lymphocytes, Cytotoxic / drug effects*
  • T-Lymphocytes, Cytotoxic / immunology
  • T-Lymphocytes, Cytotoxic / metabolism
  • T-Lymphocytes, Helper-Inducer / cytology
  • T-Lymphocytes, Helper-Inducer / drug effects*
  • T-Lymphocytes, Helper-Inducer / immunology
  • T-Lymphocytes, Helper-Inducer / metabolism
  • Th1-Th2 Balance / drug effects
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / biosynthesis
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / metabolism
  • Uromodulin / isolation & purification
  • Uromodulin / pharmacology*
  • Uromodulin / urine

Substances

  • IL10 protein, human
  • Immunologic Factors
  • Interleukin-1beta
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha
  • UMOD protein, human
  • Uromodulin
  • Interleukin-10
  • Interferon-gamma