Yu-Ling Lin

Yu-Ling Lin

Assistant Research Fellow

Mobilizing B Cells: Awakening Humoral Immunity with Natural Products to Combat Cancer and Immunosenescence
Mobilizing B Cells: Awakening Humoral Immunity with Natural Products to Combat Cancer and Immunosenescence

Research Findings

Phytogalactolipids activate antitumor humoral immunity for the treatment of colorectal cancer

2023
Han‑Huei Lin, Yi‑Shin Wu, Ting‑Yan Jian, Jia‑Yun Liao, Meng‑Ting Chang, Lie‑Fen Shyur
We demonstrated a new pharmacological function of phytogalatolipids isolated from plant medicine Crassocephalum rabens on dominant anti-tumor humoral responses. Phytogalatolipids effectively inhibit tumor growth in colorectal tumor allograft mice and attract massive B cells into the tumor. Phytogalatolipids induce B cell differentiation in spleens and tumors, resulting in high titers of antitumor antibodies in serum. Galactolipids-induced antitumor antibodies specifically recognize surface antigens on the plasma membrane of cancer cells and trigger stronger antibody-dependent cytotoxicity, including antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity (ADCC), antibody-dependent phagocytosis (ADCP), and complement-dependent cytotoxicity (CDC). We discovered that these galactolipids can interact with IL-6 receptors on T cells, activate STAT3 and cMaf, and cause T cells to secrete IL-21, which in turn induces B cell differentiation through the IL-21R/STAT3/Blimp-1 pathway. Therefore, galactolipids induce B cell activation in a T cell-dependent manner and trigger antitumor antibodies, thereby preventing the progression of colorectal cancer. This research suggests that galactolipid-induced humoral immunity may be a new and effective immunotherapy for colorectal cancer.