Phytochemical Inhibition of Interleukin-4-Activated Stat6 and Expression of VCAM-1

Abstract

Cellular functions induced by cytokine interleukin (IL)-4 and IL-4 signaling through signal transducer and activator of transcription (Stat)6 typify a Th2-type immune response. We investigated the inhibitor effect of the NFκB blocker parthenolide in the late-phase, Th2-type immune response. Parthenolide blocked by 90.6 ± 7.4% the IL-4-induced expression of the endothelial vascular cell adhesion molecule (VCAM)-1, a hallmark of extravasation of very late antigen-4-positive leukocytes. The noncytotoxic concentrations of 10 μM parthenolide left a section of the IL-4 receptor signal transduction intact. Parthenolide did not interfere with the immediate IL-4-induced phosphorylation of endothelial Stat6 on its tyrosine residue Y641 and with tyrosine phosphorylation of the adapter molecule, Jak2—both processes are obligatory for dimerization and nuclear translocation of Stat6. But parthenolide inhibited the Stat6 DNA-binding activity in IL-4-stimulated endothelial cells and inhibited the IL-4-driven activation of a luciferase reporter gene under the control of Stat6-responsive elements (IC50 5.11 ± 0.67 μM). Together, these data suggest an anti-chronic disease profile for the sesquiterpene lactone parthenolide.