Natural Compounds Targeting Immune Checkpoint Proteins

In the field of immune checkpoint inhibitors, natural compounds are becoming powerful allies in the fight against disease. The attraction of natural compounds lies in their diversity and rich medicinal history. As well, nature has provided us with a treasure trove of compounds with great therapeutic potential.

Creative Biolabs has been at the forefront of identifying and exploiting the immune checkpoint targeting properties of these natural compounds. In this article, we will delve into the fascinating world of natural compounds as immune checkpoint inhibitors.

Natural Compounds: The Hidden Gems

Within the vast spectrum of natural compounds, there exists a treasure trove of substances with the potential to revolutionize immunotherapy. These compounds, derived from plants, fungi, and even marine organisms, harbor unique properties that can modulate immune checkpoint proteins, such as PD-1, CTLA-4, and PD-L1.

Natural Compounds Targeting Immune Checkpoint Proteins

One of the most prominent natural compounds in this regard is curcumin, extracted from the turmeric root.

Phytochemical	Immune and Related Responses
Curcumin	PD-L1 expression↓, T lymphocyte proliferation and IFN-γ secretion↑, Tumor-specific CTL proliferation and activity↑
Curcumol	PD-L1 mRNA and protein expression↓
Resveratrol	PD-L1 and BTLA mRNA↓, PD-L1 protein expression↑
Berberine	PD-L1 protein expression↓
Apigenin	IFN-γ-induced PD-L1 protein upregulation↓
Ginsenoside Rg3	PD-L1 protein expression↓
Silibinin	PD-L1 protein expression↓

Curcumin
Curcumin, the bioactive compound found in turmeric, is a prime example of a natural compound that has shown immense promise in targeting immune checkpoint proteins. Studies have indicated that curcumin can inhibit the expression of PD-L1 and potentially enhance the anti-tumor immune response.
Resveratrol
Resveratrol is commonly found in red grapes and red wine. Research suggests that resveratrol can modulate the expression of CTLA-4, which can lead to an enhanced activation of T cells.
Quercetin
Quercetin is abundant in foods like apples and onions. It has been found to have the potential to target immune checkpoint proteins. Quercetin inhibits the expression of checkpoint proteins such as PD-1 and CTLA-4, thereby promoting a more robust immune response against cancer cells.
Epigallocatechin Gallate (EGCG)
EGCG is a polyphenol found in green tea. It has been found to inhibit the expression of PD-L1 and enhance the immune system's ability to recognize and destroy cancer cells.

Common Techniques

When exploring natural compounds that target immune checkpoint proteins, a range of techniques are required to screen and evaluate candidate compounds. We provide some of the common techniques employed by researchers.

High-Throughput Screening (HTS)
Cell-Based Assays
Flow Cytometry
In Vivo Studies
Immunohistochemistry (IHC)
Molecular Docking and Modeling

At Creative Biolabs, we are dedicated to exploring natural compounds and their role in targeting immune checkpoint proteins. For more information about our research and services, please contact us.

Reference

Chun, Kyung-Soo, et al. "Anticancer natural products targeting immune checkpoint protein network." Seminars in Cancer Biology. Vol. 86. Academic Press, 2022.

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