ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE Atherosclerosis (AS) is a chronic inflammatory disease characterized by the accumulation of lipids, vascular fibrosis, and inflammation. Paeonol (Pae) is a natural phenolic compounds isolated from a traditional Chinese medicine, Cortex Moutan, which exhibits anti-AS effects. Our previous work demonstrated that gut microbiota plays an important role during AS treatment as it affects the efficacy of Pae. However, the mechanism of Pae in protect?ing against vascular fibrosis as related to gut microbiota has yet to be elucidated. To investigate the anti-fibrosis effect of Pae on AS mice and demonstrate the underlying gut microbiota-dependent mechanism. METHODS ApoE-/- mice were fed with high-fat-diet (HFD) to replicate the AS model. HE and Masson staining were used to observe the plaque forma?tion and collagen deposition. Gut microbiota alteration and short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) production were analyzed through 16S rRNA sequencing and LC-MS/MS. The frequency of immune cells in spleen were phenotyped by flow cytometry. The mRNA expression of aortic inflammatory cytokines were detected by qRT-PCR. The protein expression of LOX and fibrosis related indicators were examined by Western blotting. RESULTS Pae restricted the development of AS and collagen deposition. Notably, the anti-fibrosis effect of Pae was achieved by regulating the gut microbiota. 16S rRNA sequencing and LC-MS/MS data indicated that the relative abundance of SCFAs-producing bacteria and SCFAs production was increased. Additionally, Pae administration selectively up-regulated the frequency of regulatory T (Treg) cells as well as down-regulated the ratio of T helper type 17 (Th17) cells in the spleen of AS mice, improving the Treg/Th17 balance. In addition, as expected, Pae intervention significantly down-regulate the mRNA expression levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-αand IL-17 in the aorta tissue, up-regulate the levels of anti-inflammatory factor IL-10, a marker of Treg cells. Finally, Pae's intervention in the gut microbiota resulted in the restoration of the balance of Treg/Th17, which indirectly down-regulated the protein expression level of LOX and fibrosis-related indicators (MMP-2/9 and collagenⅠ/Ⅲ). CONCLUSION Pae attenuates vascular fibrosis in a gut microbiota-dependent manner. The under?lying protective mechanism is associated with the improved Treg/Th17 balance in spleen mediated through the increased microbiota-derived SCFAs production.
ABSTRACT
Objective: To observe the effects of RuanJianXiaoYing Granule on the expressions of specific transcription factors and cytokines of Treg and Th17 in the Hashimoto thyroiditis (HT) rats with liver depression and spleen deficiency, and to investigate the therapeutic effect of RuanJianXiaoYing Granule on HT and its immunological mechanism. Methods: A total of 48 SD rats were randomly divided into normal group (12 rats) and modeling group (36 rats). The HT model was established by subcutaneous injection of excessive iodine drinking water and thyroglobulin, and then combined with chronic restraint stress, excessive fatigue and dietary disorders to prepare the rat models with liver depression and spleen deficiency. After modeling, the rats were randomly divided into model group (n=12), Tripterygium wilfordii group (n=12), and RuanJianXiaoYing group (n=12), and the rats were treated for 8 weeks. In addition to the dead rats and unqualified specimens during the experiment, the test results of 10 rats in each group were retained. The general situation of the rats in various groups was observed; the abdominal aortic blood and thyroid gland tissue of the rats in various groups were collected after the last administration; the levels of thyroglobulin antibody (TGAb), thyroid peroxidase antibody (TPOAb), free triiodothyronine (FT3), free thyroxine (FT4), thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) and thyrotropin (TSH) in serum and the levels of IL-17, IL-23 and IL-10 were detected by ELISA method; the pathomorphology of thyroid gland tissue of the rats in various groups were detected by HE staining; the expression levels of Foxp3 and RORyt proteins in thyroid gland tissue of the rats in various groups were detected by Western blotting method. Results: Compared with normal group, the levels of serum TGAb and TPOAb of the rats in model group, Tripterygium wilfordii group and RuanJianXiaoYing - group were increased (P0. 05); the level of serum IL-10 was increased (P<0. 05), and the levels of serum IL-17 and IL-23 were decreased (P<0. 05). The follicular cavity of thyroid gland in normal group had regular morphology, complete structure and no lymphocyte infiltration. In model group, the follicular cavity of thyroid gland was enlarged, the follicular structure was destroyed, and a large number of lymphocyte infiltration was observed in and around the follicular cavity. In Tripterygium wilfordii group, the follicular cavity of thyroid gland was enlarged, part of the follicular structure was destroyed, and there was a small amount of lymphocyte infiltration in and around the follicular cavity, which was less than that in model group. The morphological changes of thyroid gland in RuanJianXiaoYing group were similar to those in Tripterygium wilfordii group Conclusion: RuanJianXiaoYing Granule has the therapeutic effect in the HT rats with liver depression and spleen deficiency by regulating the expressions of the specific transcription factors Foxp3 and RORγt protein and related cytokines of Treg and Th17.
ABSTRACT
Many factors are reported to be involved in regulating the immunopathogenesis of schistosome infection. CD4+ T cell is one of the key players in the regulation of the liver granuloma formation by differentiation into different effector subsets including T helper (Th) 1, Th2, Th17, and T regulatory cells (Treg cells). Treg cells play an important suppressive role in immunopathology control and favor the pathogen to escape from the host immune assault. The functional activity of Tregs has been related to some autoimmune diseases including asthma and inflammatory bowel disease, which suggests that the manipulation of Tregs to restore their numbers and function may be therapeutic. However, interleukin-17 (IL-17) is a pro-inflammatory cytokine involved in the pathogenesis of many inflammatory and infectious conditions, including schistosomiasis. Therefore, a deeper understanding of the mechanisms of these immune regulations is necessary for the better control of pathology in schistosomiasis. In this paper, we review the Treg/Th17 balance and the immunology of schistosome infection.
ABSTRACT
Many factors are reported to be involved in regulating the immunopathogenesis of schistosome infection. CD4+ T cell is one of the key players in the regulation of the liver granuloma formation by differentiation into different effector subsets including T helper (Th) 1, Th2, Th17, and T regulatory cells (Treg cells). Treg cells play an important suppressive role in immunopathology control and favor the pathogen to escape from the host immune assault. The functional activity of Tregs has been related to some autoimmune diseases including asthma and inflammatory bowel disease, which suggests that the manipulation of Tregs to restore their numbers and function may be therapeutic. However, interleukin-17 (IL-17) is a pro-inflammatory cytokine involved in the pathogenesis of many inflammatory and infectious conditions, including schistosomiasis. Therefore, a deeper understanding of the mechanisms of these immune regulations is necessary for the better control of pathology in schistosomiasis. In this paper, we review the Treg/Th17 balance and the immunology of schistosome infection.