Involvement of the PKC–NF–κB signaling pathway in the regulation of T lymphocytes proliferation of chickens by conjugated linoleic acids

The involvement of protein kinase C (PKC) and nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) signaling pathway in immunoregulatory actions of conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) in chicken T lymphocyte was investigated. T lymphocytes in peripheral blood were isolated and cultured. The PKC and NF–κB inhibitors, staurosporine (SP) and pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate (PDTC), were used. SP inhibited the production of PKC, and PDTC partly blocked the NF–κB mRNA relative expression. Data suggested compared with c9, t11-CLA and t10, c12-CLA groups, the attenuated effects were showed in SP or PDTC treatment with the application of CLA, which suggested PKC and NF–κB mediated in the immunity of CLA. Furthermore, SP and PDTC inhibited the IL-2 secretion and T lymphocyte proliferation. SP or PDTC induced reduction of IL-2 secretion and T-lymphocytes proliferation were greatly or partially attenuated by CLA isomers. In conclusion, CLA was a potent immunomodulator for T lymphocytes through targeting the PKC–NF–κB pathway.