The effects of liposomes containing astaxanthin ethers on cytokine secretion by human peripheral blood mononuclear cells

Relevance. According to the literature, astaxanthin (AST) esters have a pronounced neuroprotective and anti-inflammatory effect in experimental animals with neurodegeneration. Due to the low water solubility, the use of AST esters in the form of phospholipid nanoemulsions is promising. The principal mechanisms of the neuroprotective effect of AST esters include anti-inflammatory action, so it is relevant to study the anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory effect of nanoemulsions containing AST esters. The aim of this work was to study the effect of phospholipid-based nanoemulsions of AST esters on the secretion of major cytokines and inflammatory mediators (GM-CSF (granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor), IL-ip, IL-6, IFNy) by human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC). Material and Methods. Lipid nanoemulsions were prepared from Lipoid S75 by hot emulsification method. AST esters from Haematococcus pluvalis were used for incorporation into nanoemulsions. PBMCs from 6 healthy volunteers (men, age 21-31 years) were isolated from blood in a one-step ficoll urographin density gradient. Cultivation was performed under the following conditions: 1) without addition of nanoemulsions and phytohemagglutinin A (PGA); 2) with PGA, without nanoemulsions; 3) with PGA and nanoemulsions of AST esters; 4) with PGA and nanoemulsions containing no AST esters; 5) with nanoemulsions of AST esters; 6) with nanoemulsions containing no AST esters. Multiplex analysis was used to determine cytokines in the cell supernatants. Results. Nanoemulsions with AST esters suppressed the FGA-stimulated secretion of innate and adaptive immunity cytokines (GM-CSF, IL-1P, IL-6, IFNy) by PBMCs. Addition of nanoemulsions without AST to the PBMCs partially suppressed cell activation by inhibiting the secretion of adaptive immunity cytokine IFNy, but did not affect the levels of proinflammatory cytokines. Conclusion. The results indicate an anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory effect of AST esters in the form of nanoemulsions, which shows the prospects for further studies of their effects mediating neuroprotection in models of neurodegenerative diseases.