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The potential use of diet for rational gene targeting in treating genetically‐defined pathologies
Author(s) -
Hushmendy Shazaan,
Jayakumar Lalithapriya,
Hahn Amy,
Bhoiwala Devang,
Bhoiwala Dipti,
Crawford Dana
Publication year - 2009
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fasebj.23.1_supplement.lb433
Subject(s) - sulforaphane , curcumin , medicine , nfat , pharmacology , disease , biology , immunology , gene , cancer research , genetics , transcription factor
We have considered the novel possibility of treating pathologies whose genetic bases are defined with diet and nutrition. We reason that some healthy dietary nutrients can modulate the expression of disease‐causing genes back toward the normal, attenuating the disease process while lowering treatment cost, toxicity, long‐term risks, and improving compliance. Here, we chose clinical immunosuppression and Down Syndrome, genetically‐defined pathologies caused by excessive IL‐2 production and an extra chromosome 21, respectively. For immunosuppression, berry extract, curcumin, quercetin, sulforaphane, EGCG, Echinacea and others were tested on anti‐CD3 activated primary human T‐lymphocytes and mouse splenocytes in culture. Curcumin, sulforaphane, quercetin (in vitro and in vivo) and EGCG all significantly inhibited T‐cell proliferation and IL‐2 production, suggesting their potential in treating auto‐immunity and transplant patients. The expression of two major Down syndrome candidate genes (RCAN1 and DYRK1A) was also evaluated following mouse dietary supplementation for 10 days. Quercetin and Echinacea both suppressed RCAN1 and DYRK1A protein levels. These results support our strategy of using healthy dietary supplements to treat genetically‐defined pathologies; an approach that we believe is simple, healthy, and cost‐effective. This research was supported by the Community Foundation.