August 2019
Kathleen Mikkelsen, Monica D. Prakash, Nyanbol Kuol, Kulmira Nurgali, Lily Stojanovska, and Vasso Apostolopoulos

 

Abstract

Chronic inflammation can lead to tumour initiation and progression. Vitamin B complex has the ability to regulate the immune response and, therefore, inflammation but many of the mechanistic and molecular processes involved in this regulation are still not fully understood.

This study sought to determine some of these processes by studying the effects of vitamin B2 (riboflavin) B6 (pyridoxine) and B9 (folic acid) on un-differentiated pro-monocytic lymphoma cells in regard to their ability to alter the proliferation, migration, apoptosis, cytokines and expression levels of programmed death ligand 1.

We show that vitamin B2, B6 and B9, on pro-monocytic lymphoma cells exerted an anti-tumorigenic effect. This data could form the basis for future studies in using vitamin B supplementation to reduce cancer cell growth in vivo.

 

Conclusions

In conclusion, it is clear that vitamin B2, B6 and B9 inhibits pro-monocytic cell proliferation and migration which is not due to apoptosis or cell death.

It is not clear what role IL-8 plays in the anti-proliferative and anti-migratory effects, as it is generally believed that IL-8 is associated with increased proliferation, migration and angiogenesis of cancer cells; the mechanism associated with increased levels of IL-8 needs to be further elucidated.

However, collectively, vitamin B2, B6 and B9 increased IL-10, GM-CSF and decreased IL-1β cytokine levels which are in accordance with reduced cell proliferation and anti-tumorigenic properties based on other studies in the literature.

In addition, the decreased expression levels of PD-L1 supports the reduced proliferation and migration of U937 cells. The data give insights into the anti-tumorigenic properties of vitamin B2, B6 and B9 and could form the basis for future studies in using vitamin B supplementation to reduce cancer cell growth in vivo in animal models and in humans.

Results of this study suggest that B2 B6 and B9 could be recognized as potential anti-tumorigenic nutrients, although subsequent studies would need to be completed to gain more insight into the mechanisms behind these anti-tumor effects.

Future studies may further illuminate some of these mechanisms by observing changes in gene expression of key immune cells.