Formula-Pattern Research Center, Jiangxi University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Nanchang 330004, Jiangxi Province, China; Laboratory Animal Research Center for Science and Technology, Jiangxi University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Nanchang 330004, China.
Research and Development Department, Jiangzhong Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., Nanchang 330004, Jiangxi Province, China.
Int Immunopharmacol. 2022 Oct;111:109108. doi: 10.1016/j.intimp.2022.109108. Epub 2022 Aug 1.
The immunomodulatory function of natural active ingredients has long been a focus of scientific research, with recent hotspots reporting targeted modulation of the follicular helper T cells (Tfh)/regulatory T cells (Treg) balance as an emerging strategy for the treatment of ulcerative colitis (UC). Here, dextran sodium sulfate induced mice UC and Astragalus polysaccharide (APS, 200 mg/kg/day) was administered simultaneously. In this study, APS effectively alleviated colitis in mice by improving survival rate, disease activity index (DAI), the change rate of body weight, colonic length and weight, and histopathological injury of the colon. Moreover, APS regulated the expression of inflammatory cytokines interleukin (IL)-2, IL-6, IL-12p70, IL-23, Tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-ɑ, and transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1 in colonic tissues of colitis mice. Importantly, APS significantly downregulated Tfh cell and the expression of its related nuclear transcription factors Blimp-1 and Bcl-6, and cytokine IL-21. Meanwhile, APS regulated the differentiation of Tfh subpopulations in colitis mice, with Tfh10 and Tfr significantly upregulated while Tfh1, Tfh17, and Tfh21 significantly downregulated. In addition, APS significantly upregulated Treg cells and the levels of its associated nuclear transcription factor Foxp3, and cytokine IL-10 in colitis mice. In conclusion, APS effectively alleviated UC by reshaping the balance of Tfh/Treg cells.
天然活性成分的免疫调节功能一直是科学研究的焦点，最近的热点报道表明，靶向调节滤泡辅助 T 细胞（Tfh）/调节性 T 细胞（Treg）平衡是治疗溃疡性结肠炎（UC）的一种新兴策略。在这里，我们使用葡聚糖硫酸钠诱导小鼠 UC，并同时给予黄芪多糖（APS，200mg/kg/天）。在本研究中，APS 通过提高存活率、疾病活动指数（DAI）、体重变化率、结肠长度和重量以及结肠组织的组织病理学损伤，有效地缓解了小鼠的结肠炎。此外，APS 调节了结肠炎小鼠结肠组织中炎症细胞因子白细胞介素（IL）-2、IL-6、IL-12p70、IL-23、肿瘤坏死因子（TNF）-ɑ和转化生长因子（TGF）-β1 的表达。重要的是，APS 显著下调了 Tfh 细胞及其相关核转录因子 Blimp-1 和 Bcl-6 的表达以及细胞因子 IL-21。同时，APS 调节了结肠炎小鼠 Tfh 亚群的分化，Tfh10 和 Tfr 明显上调，而 Tfh1、Tfh17 和 Tfh21 明显下调。此外，APS 显著上调了结肠炎小鼠 Treg 细胞及其相关核转录因子 Foxp3 和细胞因子 IL-10 的水平。总之，APS 通过重塑 Tfh/Treg 细胞平衡有效缓解了 UC。
