Glucosamine Research Today is a free monthly online journal that collates and summarizes the latest research about Glucosamine, including details on chondroitin sulfate, uses, effects, benefits, arthritis.

The hexosamine biosynthesis pathway negatively regulates IL-2 production by Jurkat T cells.

Huang JB, Clark AJ, Petty HR

Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, The University of Michigan Medical School, 1000 Wall Street, Ann Arbor, MI 48105, USA.

To test the hypothesis that the hexosamine biosynthesis pathway (HBP) affects cytokine production, we studied IL-2 production by Jurkat cells in response to PHA. We found that the HBP activator glucosamine (GlcN), but not glucose (Glc), dose-dependently reduced IL-2 production. Importantly, GlcN blocked trafficking of a GFP-NFAT chimeric protein to the nucleus of stimulated transfectants. Not surprisingly, changes in O-GlcNAc protein modifications were noted during cell activation with and without GlcN addition. These findings could not be explained by some non-specific change in cell metabolism because ATP concentrations did not significantly change. We speculate that HBP-active compounds may contribute to patient care in certain inflammatory and autoimmune diseases.

Published 28 May 2007 in Cell Immunol, 245(1): 1-6.
Full-text of this article is available online (may require subscription).

© 2004-2008 Glucosamine Research Today. All Rights Reserved.