Ginger increases aldh1a1 expression and enhances retinoic acid signaling in a human colonic epithelial cell line

Yuka Nagata, Takeshi Yamamoto*, Makoto Kadowaki

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

4 Scopus citations

Abstract

Aldehyde dehydrogenase 1A1 (ALDH1A1) in intestinal epithelial cells (IECs) plays a critical role in regulating immune responses through the production of retinoic acid (RA). However, little is known about its regulation by dietary components. We previously demonstrated that kakkonto, a Japanese traditional herbal medicine, and its constituent puerarin induce the expression of ALDH1A1 mRNA in colonic IECs and thereby attenuate food allergy symptoms in mice. This study aims to investigate the cellular responses of IECs to ALDH1A1 expression as a result of natural food components. The seven medicinal herbs that compose kakkonto were used to treat cultured an IEC line: Caco-2 cells. Expressions levels of ALDH1A1 were analyzed in Caco-2 cells by quantitative RT-PCR, immunocytochemistry and western blotting. Ginger increased the expression levels of ALDH1A1 mRNA and protein in Caco-2 cells. In addition, ginger significantly upregulated the gene expression of retinoic acid receptor (RAR) alpha (RARA), thereby enhancing RA signaling. Furthermore, ginger downregulated the expression of histone deacetylase (HDAC)2 (HDAC2) and HDAC3 in Caco-2 cells. The present study suggests the possibility that food ingredients such as a ginger modulate vitamin A metabolism in the gut through the regulation of RA synthesis, which may contribute to RA-mediated regulation of immune responses and the regulation of allergic inflammation.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)462-467
Number of pages6
JournalJournal of Nutritional Science and Vitaminology
Volume66
Issue number5
DOIs
StatePublished - 2020

Keywords

  • Food allergy
  • Ginger extract
  • Intestinal epithelial cell
  • Intestinal immunity
  • Retinoic acid-synthesizing enzyme
  • Retinol metabolism

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Medicine (miscellaneous)
  • Nutrition and Dietetics

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