Ursolic acid suppresses interleukin-17 (IL-17) production by selectively antagonizing the function of RORgamma t protein

J Biol Chem. 2011 Jul 1;286(26):22707-10. doi: 10.1074/jbc.C111.250407. Epub 2011 May 12.

Abstract

Th17 cells have recently emerged as a major player in inflammatory and autoimmune diseases via the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-17, IL-17F, and IL-22. The differentiation of Th17 cells and the associated cytokine production is directly controlled by RORγt. Here we show that ursolic acid (UA), a small molecule present in herbal medicine, selectively and effectively inhibits the function of RORγt, resulting in greatly decreased IL-17 expression in both developing and differentiated Th17 cells. In addition, treatment with UA ameliorated experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis. The results thus suggest UA as a valuable drug candidate or leading compound for developing treatments of Th17-mediated inflammatory diseases and cancer.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Anti-Infective Agents / pharmacology*
  • Cell Differentiation / drug effects
  • Cell Differentiation / immunology
  • Cell Line
  • Encephalomyelitis, Autoimmune, Experimental / drug therapy
  • Encephalomyelitis, Autoimmune, Experimental / immunology
  • Encephalomyelitis, Autoimmune, Experimental / metabolism
  • Gene Expression Regulation / drug effects
  • Gene Expression Regulation / immunology
  • Humans
  • Interleukin-17 / biosynthesis*
  • Interleukin-17 / immunology
  • Mice
  • Neoplasms / drug therapy
  • Neoplasms / immunology
  • Neoplasms / metabolism
  • Nuclear Receptor Subfamily 1, Group F, Member 3 / antagonists & inhibitors*
  • Nuclear Receptor Subfamily 1, Group F, Member 3 / metabolism*
  • Th17 Cells / immunology
  • Th17 Cells / metabolism*
  • Triterpenes / pharmacology*
  • Ursolic Acid

Substances

  • Anti-Infective Agents
  • IL17F protein, human
  • Il17f protein, mouse
  • Interleukin-17
  • Nuclear Receptor Subfamily 1, Group F, Member 3
  • RORC protein, human
  • Triterpenes