Phytoncides (wood essential oils) induce human natural killer cell activity.

Full Abstract

To explore the effect of forest bathing on the human immune system, we investigated the effect of phytoncides (wood essential oils) on natural killer (NK) activity and the expression of perforin, granzyme A and granulysin in human NK cells. We used NK-92MI cell, an interleukin-2 independent human NK cell line derived from the NK-92 cell, in the present study. NK-92MI cells express the CD56 surface marker, perforin, granzyme A, and granulysin by flow cytometry and are highly cytotoxic to K562 cells in chromium release assay. Phytoncides significantly increase cytolytic activity of NK-92MI cells in a dose-dependent manner and significantly increase the expression of perforin, granzyme A, and granulysin in the NK-92MI cells. Phytoncides also partially, but significantly, restore the decreased human NK activity and the decreased perforin, granzyme A, and granulysin expression in NK-92MI cells induced by dimethyl 2,2-dichlorovinyl phosphate (DDVP), an organophosphorus pesticide. Pretreatment with phytoncides partially prevents DDVP-induced inhibition of NK activity. Taken together, these data indicate that phytoncides significantly enhance human NK activity and this effect is at least partially mediated by induction of intracellular perforin, granzyme A, and granulysin.

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Author information

Author/s: Li, Qing (Q); Nakadai, Ari (A); Matsushima, Hiroki (H); Miyazaki, Yoshifumi (Y); Krensky, Alan M (AM); Kawada, Tomoyuki (T); Morimoto, Kanehisa (K);

Affiliation: Department of Hygiene and Public Health, Nippon Medical School, Tokyo, Japan. qing-li(-atsign-)nms.ac.jp

Journal and publication information

Publication Type: Journal Article; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

Journal: Immunopharmacology and immunotoxicology (Immunopharmacol Immunotoxicol), published in United States. (Language: eng)

Reference: 2006-; vol 28 (issue 2) : pp 319-33

Dates: Created 2006/07/28; Completed 2006/09/26; Revised 2006/11/15;

PMID: 16873099, status: MEDLINE (last retrieval date: 12/26/2008)

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MeSH headings (categories)

This article was linked to the MESH Headings shown below.

Antigens, Differentiation - immunology
Cupressaceae - chemistry
Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
Gene Expression Regulation - drug effects; immunology
Humans

Immunologic Factors - chemistry; pharmacology
K562 Cells
Killer Cells, Natural - immunology
Lymphocyte Activation - drug effects; immunology
Plant Oils - chemistry; pharmacology

Associated Chemicals: Antigens, Differentiation (0) ; Immunologic Factors (0) ; Plant Oils (0)

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