Effects of Astragalus membranaceus in promoting T-helper cell type 1 polarization and interferon-gamma production by up-regulating T-bet expression in patients with asthma.
- Author:
Gang WANG
1
;
Chun-tao LIU
;
Zeng-li WANG
;
Cun-liang YAN
;
Feng-ming LUO
;
Lei WANG
;
Ting-qian LI
Author Information
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- MeSH: Adult; Asthma; drug therapy; immunology; Astragalus membranaceus; Cell Polarity; Cross-Sectional Studies; Female; Humans; Interferon-gamma; biosynthesis; blood; Interleukin-4; blood; Male; Middle Aged; Phytotherapy; RNA, Messenger; analysis; Receptors, CCR3; Receptors, CCR5; blood; Receptors, Chemokine; blood; T-Box Domain Proteins; genetics; Th1 Cells; drug effects; immunology; Up-Regulation
- From: Chinese journal of integrative medicine 2006;12(4):262-267
- CountryChina
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
OBJECTIVETo explore the effect of Astragalus membranaceus (AM) on T-helper cell type 1 (Thl) specific transcription factor T-box expressed in T cells (T-bet) expression and Thl/Th2 equilibrium.
METHODSThe levels of T-bet mRNA in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from 15 patients with asthma and 15 healthy subjects were determined by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). PBMCs in asthma patients were incubated with AM and then the concentration of interferon gamma (IFN-gamma) and interleukin-4 (IL-4) in the supernate before and after AM intervention were determined by ELISA. The numbers of CD4 + CCR3 + and CD4 + CCR5 + cells were counted by flow cytometry.
RESULTSThe expression of T-bet mRNA and the level of IFN-gamma were lower, but level of serum IL-4 was higher in asthma patients when compared with those in healthy subjects respectively. After AM (60 microg/ml) intervention, the former two parameters raised and showed a positive correlation between them, while the level of IL-4 was decreased. The mean percentage of CD4 + CCR3 + cells in asthma patients was significantly higher but that of CD4 + CCR5 + cells was lower when compared with those in healthy subjects respectively. After AM intervention, the abnormal change in the two indexes was improved to certain extent, showing a reversing status of Th2 polarization.
CONCLUSIONAM could increase the expression of T-bet mRNA and Thl cytokines such as IFN-Y, and might reverse the Th2 predominant status in asthma patients.
