益髓生血颗粒对AA大鼠CD4 + CD25 + Foxp3调节性T细胞的影响

目的：观察益髓生血颗粒对再生障碍性贫血（Aplastic Anemia,AA）大鼠CD4 + CD25 + 调节性T细胞（Regulatory T Cell,Treg细胞）的影响及其治疗AA的作用机制。方法：取雄性SD大鼠按体重随机分组。其中模型组连续7周隔天皮下注射苯（1 mL ? kg -1 ）、取材10天前开始腹腔注射环磷酰胺（25 mL ? kg -1 ）,连续3天,第4周将模型组大鼠按体重随机分为模型组、司坦唑醇组、益髓生血颗粒组,灌胃给药。正常组及模型对照组给予等体积生理盐水。实验结束时,检测外周血WBC、RBC、HGB、PLT;制备血涂片、骨髓涂片;免疫组织化学法检测脾组织Treg细胞Foxp3蛋白表达;RT-PCR法检测骨髓组织Foxp3 mRNA的表达。结果：与正常组比较,模型组WBC、RBC、HGB、PLT均显著减少（P<0.01）,血涂片示血细胞通透性差、白细胞减少、退化细胞增多,骨髓涂片示脂肪滴明显增加、造血细胞均明显降低、非造血细胞增多;经益髓生血颗粒组治疗后WBC、RBC、HGB、PLT均显著增加（P<0.01）,血涂片及骨髓涂片显示细胞通透性好转、形态趋于正常、脂肪滴明显减少,造血细胞均明显增加,脾组织Foxp3蛋白及骨髓组织Foxp3 mRNA表达明显升高（P<0.01）。结论：益髓生血颗粒可上调Foxp3的因及蛋白表达,调控AA免疫功能,进而改善AA免疫环境,促进骨髓造血功能的恢复,发挥治疗AA的重要作用。     

针灸及其血清对荷瘤小鼠CD4~+CD25~+Treg细胞体外增殖的影响

目的:观察针灸治疗对H_(22)荷瘤小鼠CD4~+CD25~+Treg细胞(CD4~+CD25~+regulatory T cells)体外增殖的影响和针灸血清刺激下的CD4~+CD25~+Treg细胞的体外增殖变化,探讨针灸及其血清对荷瘤小鼠免疫调节细胞的干预作用。方法:48只小鼠随机分为电针治疗组、艾灸治疗组、肿瘤对照组、正常对照组。采用H_(22)肿瘤细胞移植性实体瘤模型,电针和艾灸"大椎"治疗后,磁珠分离CD4~+CD25~+Treg细胞,氚标记胸腺嘧啶核苷掺入法观察不同组小鼠CD4~+CD25~+Treg细胞体外增殖能力和针灸血清对CD4~+CD25~+ Treg细胞体外增殖的影响。结果:肿瘤对照组CD4~+CD25~+Treg细胞增殖水平比正常对照组明显增高(P<0.05);电针治疗组和艾灸治疗组CD4~+CD25~+Treg细胞增殖水平与肿瘤对照组比较均明显降低(P<0.01)。电针治疗组和艾灸治疗组1:1、1:8稀释度血清刺激正常小鼠CD4~+CD25~+Treg细胞体外增殖,较正常对照、肿瘤对照组血清显著增高(P<0.05),各组1:16、1:32稀释度血清对Treg细胞作用的差别无统计学意义(P>0.05)。结论:针灸治疗能下调荷瘤小鼠CD4~+CD25~+Treg细胞体外增殖能力。不同浓度针灸血清体外刺激CD4~+CD25~+Treg细胞增殖表现出不一致的效应。     

Triptolide promotes generation of FoxP3+ T regulatory cells in rats

Ethnopharmacological relevance

Triptolide (TPT), a component of the Chinese herb Triptergium wilfordii, has potent immunosuppressive and anti-inflammatory activity and is used clinically in recipients of kidney transplantation.

Aim of the study

This work aimed to investigate the effect of TPT on the differentiation of regulatory T lymphocytes (Tregs) from CD4+ cells in rats.

Materials and methods

MACS-purified rat CD4+ cells were costimulated with anti-CD3 and anti-CD28 in the presence of TGF-β to induce the expression of FoxP3, which was detected by flow cytometry. TPT and cyclosporine A (CsA) were separately added into the cultures to observe the effect on the expression of FoxP3. Kidney transplantation was performed in rats that either received no treatment or were treated with TPT after transplantation.

Results

TPT treatment enhanced the expression of FoxP3 in CD4+ cells, whereas CsA inhibited the FoxP3 expression. In the rat kidney transplantation model, the recipient rats treated with TPT survived longer than the control rats (18–19.83 vs 6.83 days, P < 0.05). Meanwhile, the FoxP3+ T cells in the spleens of treated rats were higher than those from the untreated rats (12.4% vs 4.7%, P < 0.05).

Conclusions

These data suggest that TPT may promote the differentiation of CD4+ cells to FoxP3+ Tregs. This would be at least one of the pathways responsible for the immunosuppressive activity of TPT.     

Beneficial therapeutic effect of Chinese herbal Bushen formula on CHB patients with mildly elevated alanine aminotransferase by down-regulating CD4+CD25+T cells

Ethnopharmacological relevance

To investigate the clinical effects of the Bushen formula on chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients with mildly elevated alanine aminotransferase (ALT) (1–2 times ULN) and its relevant immune mechanism.

Materials and methods

Fifty CHB patients were enrolled, and they were categorized into two groups according to infection state, including CHB carrier group(24 patients) and mildly elevated ALT (1–2 times ULN) group (26 patients), and 12 healthy volunteers were collected as normal control group. In addition, patients with mildly elevated ALT were taking the Bushen formula for 6 months. Biochemical assessment, viral load quantitation and HBV markers were examined at the Department of Clinical Laboratory, Shanghai Shuguang Hospital. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells were separated from patients and healthy volunteers. T cells were separated from healthy blood, and Hepatitis B core antigen (HBcAg) was added to the culture media. The percentage of CD4+CD25+T cells and the expression levels of IFN-γ and IL-4 were examined by flow cytometry and the expression level of FoxP3 was examined by real-time PCR and flow cytometry. The Chinese medicine symptom complex score was calculated.

Results

The percentage of CD4+CD25+T cells and the expression level of Foxp3 in two CHB patient groups were higher than that in the normal control group, and the percentage of CD4+CD25+T cells and the expression level of Foxp3 in the CHB carrier group were highest. The experiment in vitro showed that both the percentage of CD4+CD25+T cells and the expression of Foxp3 were elevated by HBcAg in CD4+T cells separated from normal peripheral blood. In patients with mildly elevated ALT, the serum ALT level was significantly decreased from 81.77±18.24 U/L to 64.92±20.60 U/L and the serum HBV DNA level was significantly decreased from 6.54±0.95 (log) to 5.15±2.22 (log), and symptom scores were significantly decreased from 6.19±3.99 to 2.77±1.66 after administration of the Bushen formula. In addition, we found that the frequency of CD4+CD25+T cells correlated negatively with the expression level of IFN-γ in CD4+T cells from CHB patients with mildly elevated ALT, and the percentage of CD4+CD25+T cells was decreased from 11.07±4.30% to 8.70±3.49% and the expression level of IFN-γ in CD4+T cells was increased from 13.98±3.25% to 15.85±3.43% after administration of the Bushen formula.

Conclusion

In CHB patients, the percentage of CD4+CD25+T cells and the expression of Foxp3 in peripheral blood were increased, which can be repeated in HBcAg-stimulated healthy CD4+T cells. The Bushen formula has positive effects on CHB patients with mildly elevated ALT (1–2 times ULN) by reducing serum ALT and HBV DNA levels, which is relevant with the decreasing of the percentage of CD4+CD25+T cells and the increasing of the expression level of IFN-γ in CD4+T cells.     

补肾益肺解毒法对Lewis肺癌小鼠CD4~+CD25~+调节性T细胞、Foxp3及B7-H3的影响

目的:研究补肾益肺解毒法对Lewis肺癌小鼠CD4~+CD25~+调节性T细胞(T regulatory cell,Treg)、转录因子Foxp3及共刺激因子B7-H3表达的影响。方法:建立32只6~8周龄C57BL/6雄性小鼠Lewis肺癌细胞皮下移植瘤模型后,将32只造模后小鼠随机分为模型组、中药组、化疗组及综合组,每组各8只,单笼饲养。模型组以0.4 m L生理盐水灌胃14 d,并分别在第1天、第3天、第5天腹腔注射生理盐水1 m L;中药组以0.4 m L中药液灌胃14 d,并分别在第1天、第3天、第5天腹腔注射生理盐水1 m L;化疗组以0.4 m L生理盐水灌胃14 d,分别在第1天、第3天、第5天腹腔注射DDP溶液1 m L;综合组以0.4 m L中药液灌胃14 d,在第1天、第3天、第5天腹腔注射DDP溶液1 m L。给予药物干预14d后,观察小鼠的一般状况、饲料消耗量、体质量、去瘤体质量、移植瘤质量等,流式细胞术检测各组小鼠外周血和移植瘤CD4~+CD25~+Treg细胞的比例、Foxp3以及B7-H3的含量。结果:补肾益肺解毒法可改善肺癌小鼠的行为体征,增加饲料消耗量、体质量和去瘤体质量,减少移植瘤重量,与模型组比较,差异有统计学意义(P0.05)。补肾益肺解毒法治疗可显著降低Lewis肺癌小鼠外周血和移植瘤CD4~+CD25~+Treg细胞、Foxp3以及B7-H3的水平,与模型组比较差异有统计学意义(P0.05)。结论:补肾益肺解毒法通过降低CD4~+CD25~+Treg细胞、Foxp3以及B7-H3的水平增强机体的抗肿瘤免疫应答发挥抑瘤作用。     

Stimulation of osteoblastic differentiation and inhibition of interleukin‐6 and nitric oxide in MC3T3‐E1 cells by pomegranate ethanol extract

In this experiment, we studied the effects of pomegranate fruit extract (PE) on the function of osteoblastic MC3T3‐E1 cells and the production of local factors in osteoblasts. PE (16～250 µg/ml) significantly increased the growth of MC3T3‐E1 cells (P < 0.05). Moreover, PE (50 µg/ml) caused a significant elevation of alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity and collagen content in the cells. We then examined the effect of PE on the TNF‐α‐induced production of interleukin‐6 (IL‐6) and nitric oxide (NO) in osteoblasts. Treatment with PE (10～50 µg/ml) decreased the TNF‐α (10^?10 M)‐induced production of IL‐6 and NO in osteoblasts. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

定心方通过上调CD4+CD25+Foxp3+调节性T细胞表达对PM2.5所致动脉粥样硬化的影响

目的:观察定心方(DXR)在小鼠吸入PM2.5所致动脉粥样硬化(AS)过程中对CD4~+CD25~+Foxp3~+调节性T细胞(CD4~+CD25~+Foxp3~+Tregs)表达调控的影响。方法:50只载脂蛋白E基因敲除(Apo E-/-)小鼠喂食高脂饲料并吸入严重污染的自然空气,随机分为5组,DXR低、中、高剂量组分别灌胃DXR 9.29,18.59,37.18 g·kg~(-1)·d~(-1);辛伐他汀组灌胃辛伐他汀5 mg·kg~(-1)·d~(-1);模型组灌胃等剂量生理盐水;10只C57BL/6J小鼠喂食普通饲料吸入过滤空气设为正常组。16周后检测小鼠血清脂质、酶联免疫吸附测定测定(ELISA)检测白细胞介素-6(IL-6),肿瘤坏死因子-α(TNF-α),白细胞介素~(-1)0(IL~(-1)0)及转化生长因子-β(TGF-β)水平;流式细胞法检测脾脏CD4~+CD25~+Foxp3~+Tregs数量;苏木素-伊红(HE)染色观察主动脉AS斑块形态学变化;蛋白免疫印迹法(Western blot)检测主动脉AS斑块Foxp3蛋白表达。结果:与正常组比较,模型组小鼠主动脉AS斑块形成,血清脂质,IL-6及TNF-α水平明显升高,IL~(-1)0及TGF-β水平明显降低,CD4~+CD25~+Foxp3~+Tregs数量明显减少,Foxp3蛋白表达明显降低(P0.05);与模型组比较,辛伐他汀组,DXR中、高剂量组小鼠AS斑块面积明显减小,血清脂质,IL-6及TNF-α水平明显降低,IL~(-1)0及TGF-β水平明显升高,CD4~+CD25~+Foxp3~+Tregs数量明显增加,Foxp3蛋白表达明显增加(P0.05)。结论:DXR可通过上调CD4~+CD25~+Foxp3~+Tregs表达发挥抗PM2.5所致AS功效。     

Inhibition of TNF‐α‐Induced MUC5AC Mucin Gene Expression and Production by Wogonin Through the Inactivation of NF‐κB Signaling in Airway Epithelial Cells

In this study, we investigated whether wogonin significantly affects MUC5AC mucin gene expression and production in human airway epithelial cells. Confluent NCI‐H292 cells were pretreated with wogonin for 30 min and then stimulated with tumor necrosis factor‐α (TNF‐α) for 24 h or the indicated periods. The MUC5AC mucin gene expression and mucin protein production were measured by RT‐PCR and ELISA, respectively. We found that incubation of NCI‐H292 cells with wogonin significantly inhibited mucin production and down‐regulated MUC5AC gene expression induced by TNF‐α in a dose‐dependent fashion. To elucidate the action mechanism of wogonin, effect of wogonin on TNF‐α‐induced NF‐κB signaling pathway was investigated by western blot analysis. Wogonin inhibited NF‐κB activation induced by TNF‐α. Inhibition of IKK by wogonin led to the suppression of IκB phosphorylation and degradation, p65 nuclear translocation and NF‐κB‐regulated gene expression. This, in turn, led to the down‐regulation of MUC5AC protein production in NCI‐H292 cells. Wogonin also inhibited the gene products involved in cell survival (Bcl‐2) and proliferation (cyclooxygenase‐2). These results suggest that wogonin inhibits the NF‐κB signaling pathway, which may explain its role in the inhibition of MUC5AC mucin gene expression and production. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Bromophenol (5‐bromo‐3,4‐dihydroxybenzaldehyde) isolated from red alga Polysiphonia morrowii inhibits adipogenesis by regulating expression of adipogenic transcription factors and AMP‐activated protein kinase activation in 3T3‐L1 adipocytes

The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of 5‐bromo‐3,4‐dihydroxybenzaldehyde (BD) isolated from Polysiphonia morrowii on adipogenesis and differentiation of 3T3‐L1 preadipocytes into mature adipocytes and its possible mechanism of action. Levels of lipid accumulation and triglyceride were significantly lower in BD treated cells than those in untreated cells. In addition, BD treatment reduced protein expression levels of peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptor‐γ, CCAAT/enhancer‐binding proteins α, and sterol regulatory element‐binding protein 1 compared with control (no treatment). It also reduced expression levels of adiponectin, leptin, fatty acid synthase, and fatty acid binding protein 4. AMP‐activated protein kinase activation was found to be one specific mechanism involved in the effect of BD. These results demonstrate that BD possesses inhibitory effect on adipogenesis through activating AMP‐activated protein kinase signal pathway.