alloferon and Colorectal-Neoplasms

Alloferon is a novel immunomodulatory peptide originally isolated from infected insects. It has anti-viral and anti-tumor effects via the activation of NK cells. However, specific mechanisms leading to NK cell activation and anti-tumor responses yet to be clarified. In this study, we demonstrate that alloferon increases killing activity of NK cells to cancer cells via the up-regulation of the expression of NK-activating receptors, 2B4. In addition, the production of IFN-γ and TNF-α and granule exocytosis from NK cells against cancer cell were increased by alloferon. Lastly, the anti-tumor effect of alloferon was confirmed in vivo to demonstrate effective retardation of tumor growth in the human-to-mouse xenograft model. All taken together, these results suggest that alloferon has anti-tumor effects through up-regulation of NK-activating receptor 2B4 and the enhancement of granule exocytosis from NK cells.

Topics: Animals; Antigens, CD; Cell Line, Tumor; Cell Proliferation; Colorectal Neoplasms; Cytotoxicity, Immunologic; Granzymes; Humans; Interferon-gamma; Killer Cells, Natural; Lymphocyte Activation; Male; Mice; Mice, Inbred BALB C; Mice, Inbred NOD; Mice, SCID; Neoplasm Transplantation; Peptides; Perforin; Prostatic Neoplasms; Receptors, Immunologic; Signaling Lymphocytic Activation Molecule Family; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; Up-Regulation; Xenograft Model Antitumor Assays