Epigallocatechin-3-Gallate Inhibits Secretion of TNF-α, IL-6 and IL-8 through the Attenuation of ERK and NF-κB in HMC-1 Cells

BACKGROUND: Epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) is a major form of tea catechin and has a variety of biological activities. In the present study, we investigated the effect of EGCG on the secretion of TNF-alpha, IL-6 and IL-8, as well as its possible mechanism of action by using the human mast cell line (HMC-1). METHODS: EGCG was treated before the activation of HMC-1 cells with phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) plus calcium ionophore (A23187). To investigate the effect of EGCG on PMA+A23187-stimulated HMC-1 cells, ELISA, Western blot analysis, electrophorectic mobility shift assay and luciferase assay were used in this study. RESULTS: EGCG (100 microM) inhibited PMA+A23187-induced TNF-alpha, IL-6 and IL-8 expression and production. EGCG inhibited the intracellular Ca(2+) level. EGCG attenuated PMA+A23187-induced NF-kappaB and extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK1/2) activation, but not that of c-Jun N-terminal kinase or p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase. CONCLUSION: EGCG inhibited the production of TNF-alpha, IL-6 and IL-8 through the inhibition of the intracellular Ca(2+) level, and of ERK1/2 and NF-kappaB activation. These results indicate that EGCG may be helpful in regulating mast-cell-mediated allergic inflammatory response.