Tetradecanol reduces EL-4 T cell growth by the down regulation of NF-κB mediated IL-2 secretion

Tetradecanol is a straight-chain saturated fatty alcohol purified from Dendropanax morbifera leaves. We found that tetradecanol (30 μM) reduced specifically the growth of T cells such as EL-4 T cell and isolated murine CD4+ T cells. In this study, we investigated the effects of tetradecanol on the regulation of interlukin-2 (IL-2), a potent T cell growth factor. Tetradecanol significantly inhibited IL-2 secretion in EL-4 T cells activated with phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) plus ionomycin (Io) and also in isolated murine CD4+ T cells activated with anti-CD3 and anti-CD28 antibodies. Next, we examined the effect of tetradecanol on the transcriptional activity related to IL-2 production in T cells. Tetradecanol decreased PMA/Io-induced promoter activity of NF-κB in EL-4 T cells, but did not show any significant effects on the promoters of activator protein 1 (AP-1) and nuclear factor of activated T cells (NF-AT). Tetradecanol inhibited IκBα degradation and nuclear translocation of NF-κB subunit, p65 in PMA/Io-activated EL-4 T cells. These results suggest that tetradecanol might have immunosuppressive effects on T cell mediated disorders. Using a chronic allergic contact dermatitis model induced by repeated application of oxazolone, we showed that tetradecanol reduced ear thickness induced by oxazolone.