Antibodies play a critical role in adaptive immune responses and serve as key components in disease diagnosis and treatment. These molecules exhibit dynamic post-translational modifications (PTMs), such as glycosylation and phosphorylation, which regulate their effector functions. To date, nearly all of our knowledge about antibody repertoires has come from B cell receptor (BCR) sequencing (BCR-seq), which facilitates the profiling of clonal composition and the tracing of maturation trajectories within B-cell repertoires. However, circulating antibodies found in bodily fluids—such as serum, saliva, milk, mucosal secretions, and cerebrospinal fluid—exhibit diversities and specificities beyond what BCR-seq alone can predict. Therefore, identifying and quantifying antibody clonotypes at the protein level could enhance diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment strategies in personalized medicine. The critical gap between genotype and phenotype necessitates complementary methodologies that enable the direct characterization of antibody proteins in their native functional states. Mass spectrometry (MS)-based antibody repertoire sequencing (Ab-seq) is currently the only feasible approach for this task and primarily includes database-dependent methods—such as bottom-up, middle-down, and top-down approaches—as well as database-independent de novo sequencing technology. These strategies enable multi-level, high-precision characterization ranging from peptides and domains to intact antibody molecules. Unlike the shotgun strategy commonly used in routine proteomics, obtaining full sequences of all antibodies presents unique challenges. It requires specialized methodological adaptations to address issues related to dynamic range, sequence variation, and sample complexity. This review introduces the technical principles, methodological workflows, and recent applications of various mass spectrometry-based antibody repertoire sequencing (Ab-seq) strategies, with a focus on approaches designed to improve sequence coverage and identification accuracy. These include multi-enzyme digestion, hybrid fragmentation methods, and artificial intelligence-assisted de novo sequencing. By systematically comparing database-dependent techniques—such as bottom-up, middle-down, and top-down approaches—with database-independent de novo sequencing, this review outlines their respective advantages and limitations in terms of sample throughput, sequence coverage, post-translational modification characterization, and data analysis complexity. In addition, this review discusses emerging technological trends, including the integration of ion mobility separation, native mass spectrometry, and artificial intelligence-driven data interpretation, which are expected to enhance the depth and accuracy of antibody characterization. Although current methods continue to face challenges related to sample complexity, dynamic range, and unambiguous sequence variant assignment, we emphasize the importance of integrating BCR-seq and Ab-seq data to construct gene-protein association maps. These maps help validate sequence accuracy and facilitate epitope discovery. This dual-platform strategy helps bridge the gap between genotype and phenotype, thereby enhancing both the resolution and scope of antibody repertoire studies. Such an integrative approach also offers a valuable tool for therapeutic antibody development, structure-function analysis, and precise evaluation of vaccine efficacy.

Objective This study reports on the obligatory parasitism of water mites Arrenurus sp. on Anopheles messeae at the Manzhouli Port, Inner Mongolia, China. Methods Duing July 2024, a survey on the mosquito diversity was conducted at the Manzhouli Port. Captured mosquitoes and their ectoparasites were identified to species level. Results A total of 1840 adult mosquitoes were collected, representing species from three genera: Culex(Cx. modestus, Cx. pipiens pallens), Aedes(Ae. dorsalis, Ae. flavidorsalis, Ae. flavescens), and Anopheles (An. messeae). Among all the mosqutioes specimens,3 out of 150 captured An. messeae were found to carry ectoparasitic mites, with number of 2,4,27 mites separately. Morphological and molecular identification reached the same result as water mites(Hydrachnidiae, Hydracrina). COI gene sequence showed 94% similarity with the closest species Arrenurus truncatellus. Conlusions Literature review suggests water mites are host-specific parasitism of mosquito species and herein with the first record of Arrenurus sp. parasiting on An. Messeae in the most high-latitude region globally.

To investigate the positivity rates of specific antibodies, including parietal cell antibody (PCA) and anti-inner factor antibody (IFA), in a community population in Xinjiang for autoimmune gastritis (AIG), determine the prevalence of AIG, and analyze the correlations of PCA and IFA with clinical characteristics, pepsinogen (PG), gastrin 17 (G17), and Helicobacter pylori antibody (Hp-Ab).

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental condition with a steadily rising global prevalence, yet effective pharmacological interventions remain notably limited, highlighting an urgent need for safe, accessible, and mechanism-based therapeutic strategies. Physical exercise has emerged as a promising non-pharmacological intervention that ameliorates both core symptoms—social communication deficits and restricted repetitive behaviors—and associated features including cognitive dysfunction and motor impairments, in children and adolescents with ASD. However, the molecular mechanisms mediating these beneficial effects remain incompletely defined, impeding the development of evidence-based exercise prescriptions and biomarker-driven rehabilitation protocols. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are evolutionarily conserved small non-coding RNAs that post-transcriptionally regulate approximately 60% of protein-coding genes. Within the central nervous system, miRNAs orchestrate diverse neurobiological processes including neural progenitor proliferation, neuronal differentiation, dendritic spine morphogenesis, synaptic plasticity, and neuroinflammatory homeostasis. Notably, miRNAs are remarkably stable in biological fluids and can be packaged into extracellular vesicles, rendering them attractive candidates as both mechanistic mediators and non-invasive peripheral biomarkers. Among the hundreds of miRNAs expressed in the brain, three—miR-132, miR-34a, and miR-146a—have emerged as particularly relevant to ASD pathophysiology. This review focuses on these three miRNAs for the following reasons: miR-132 is a master regulator of activity-dependent synaptic plasticity through its modulation of BDNF/MeCP2/PTEN signaling and has been consistently downregulated in ASD prefrontal cortex; miR-34a functions as a pro-apoptotic factor that suppresses Bcl-2-mediated neuronal survival pathways and is upregulated in ASD cerebellum; and miR-146a serves as a key brake on neuroinflammation via TLR7/IRAK1 signaling and shows region-specific dysregulation in ASD temporal lobe. We first summarize evidence from human post-mortem brain tissues and ASD animal models demonstrating the consistent dysregulation of these three miRNAs. Notably, the pathological consequences of these miRNA alterations—impaired synaptic plasticity, excessive neuronal apoptosis, and sustained neuroinflammation—are interconnected and collectively contribute to the heterogeneous symptomatology of ASD. We then present a synthesis of emerging evidence demonstrating that various exercise modalities, including swimming, treadmill running, and voluntary wheel running, can concurrently reverse these ASD-like behavioral phenotypes and normalize the expression of the three key miRNAs. These data provide the first direct experimental evidence linking exercise-induced miRNA modulation to ASD symptom improvement. On the basis of these findings, we propose an integrative “exercise-miRNA-ASD” framework wherein exercise functions as a multi-targeted modulator—simultaneously enhancing synaptic plasticity, promoting neuronal survival, and attenuating neuroinflammation—through coordinated regulation of the three miRNAs. Importantly, this framework is not merely descriptive but offers testable predictions: exercise-induced miRNA changes should be dose-dependent, show temporal correlation with behavioral improvements, and be blunted by miRNA-specific antagonists or CRISPR/Cas9-mediated knockout. Beyond its specific application to ASD, this framework has broader implications. The miR-132/BDNF, miR-34a/Bcl-2, and miR-146a/TLR7 pathways are not ASD-specific but represent fundamental neural stress and repair mechanisms that are dysregulated across Alzheimer’s disease (AD), traumatic brain injury, Parkinson’s disease (PD), and major depressive disorder. Exercise has been shown to modulate these same miRNAs in several of these conditions, suggesting that the “exercise-miRNA-neural function” axis may represent a conserved neuroprotective mechanism that transcends diagnostic boundaries. Thus, we propose that ASD serves as an ideal model disease for elucidating this universal mechanism, with findings potentially generalizable to other neurological disorders. We also critically evaluate current translational barriers: the near-absence of human clinical trials with serial miRNA profiling; the undefined dose-response relationships between exercise parameters and miRNA expression; the unresolved causality issue (current evidence demonstrates association, not causation); and the uncertain correlation between peripheral exosomal miRNA levels and brain miRNA dynamics. We argue that future research must prioritize CRISPR/Cas9-based miRNA manipulation in animal models combined with longitudinal exercise interventions to establish causality, and that cross-disease validation studies are essential to determine whether exercise-induced miRNA changes represent a shared neuroprotective signature or disease-specific responses. Ultimately, we envision a paradigm where a simple blood test measuring exosomal miR-132, miR-34a, and miR-146a levels could guide personalized exercise prescriptions, enabling precision rehabilitation for individuals with ASD and potentially other neurological conditions.

ObjectiveTo establish the mouse models of psoriasis-like lesions induced by continuous cold exposure or intermittent cold exposure combined with imiquimod （IMQ）， and to evaluate the interventional effects of Kaixuan Jiedu core prescription （KXJD） on the two models. MethodsMale C57BL/6J mice were selected and classified into two experimental batches. The first batch of 36 mice was randomized into a room temperature group， a continuous cold exposure （10 ℃/24 h） group， and an intermittent cold exposure （10 ℃/6 h） group. Each group was further divided into a normal subgroup and a model subgroup （topical application of IMQ to induce skin lesions）， with 6 mice in each subgroup， for modeling and evaluation. The second batch of 54 mice， with 6 in each group， were subjected to the same temperature grouping with an additional KXJD （30.42 g·kg^-1， continuous gavage for 5 days） group. Comprehensive evaluation of model characteristics and KXJD efficacy was conducted through Psoriasis Area and Severity Index （PASI） scoring， skin temperature measurement by infrared thermography， histopathological observation by hematoxylin-eosin （HE） staining， detection of vascular endothelial growth factor （VEGF） and platelet endothelial cell adhesion molecule 1 （CD31） by immunohistochemistry， detection of Claudin-1 and Occludin by immunofluorescence assay， determination of serum levels of tumor necrosis factor-α （TNF-α） and interleukin （IL）-10 by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA）， and quantification of mRNA levels of IL-17A， IL-23， IL-6， and chemokine ligand 20 （CCL20） in skin lesions by quantitative Real-time polymerase chain reaction （Real-time PCR）. ResultsModel mice in all temperature groups exhibited typical psoriasis-like skin lesions. Compared with the normal groups， the model groups showed increased PASI scores， decreased skin temperatures （P<0.05）， obvious epidermal thickening， parakeratosis， and dermal inflammatory cell infiltration， as well as elevated mRNA levels of IL-17A， IL-23， IL-6， and CCL20 （P<0.05）. Cold exposure further aggravated psoriasis. The total PASI score of the intermittent cold exposure model group was higher than that of the room temperature model group （P<0.05）. The serum IL-10 did not show a compensatory elevation， and the blood vessels presented a characteristic of elevated CD31 expression （P<0.05） without a synchronous increase in VEGF. The continuous cold exposure model group exhibited more significant dermal capillary tortuosity and dilation， with the highest mRNA levels of IL-17A， IL-23， IL-6， and CCL20 among all groups. Compared with the respective model groups， KXJD intervention alleviated skin lesions， reduced epidermal thickness and inflammatory cell infiltration， and increased skin temperature， with the temperature increase being particularly significant in the intermittent cold exposure+KXJD group （P<0.05）. Furthermore， KXJD down-regulated the expression of VEGF and CD31， restored the expression of Claudin-1 and Occludin， decreased the mRNA levels of IL-17A and IL-23 （P<0.05）， and reduced the serum TNF-α level. ConclusionThis study successfully established compound psoriasis-like mouse models induced by cold exposure combined with IMQ. It confirms that cold aggravates the severity of psoriasis by exacerbating the closure of Xuanfu （sweat pores）， microcirculation disorders， and immune imbalance. Moreover， different cold exposure patterns have distinct mechanism differences. Continuous cold exposure focuses on enhancing the inflammatory response via the IL-23/IL-17 axis and angiogenesis， simulating chronic aggravation under a long-term cold environment. Intermittent cold exposure tends to impair immune regulation and induce microvascular endothelial stress， corresponding to acute exacerbations caused by sudden temperature drops. KXJD can effectively alleviate psoriasis-like skin lesions under cold conditions by unblocking Xuanfu， regulating vasomotor function， and correcting abnormal immune-inflammatory responses.

ObjectiveTo investigate the ameliorative effects of Kaixuan Jiedu core prescription （KXJD） on skin lesions in psoriasis-like mouse models under cold environment exposure， and to analyze its influences on transient receptor potential （TRP） channels and related neuroimmune regulatory factors. MethodsThirty-six C57BL/6J mice were randomized into 6 groups， with 6 mice in each group. Two feeding conditions were set： Normal temperature and cold ［simulating a cold environment at （10±0.5） ℃， for 6 h daily］. Mice were induced to develop psoriasis-like lesions by applying imiquimod externally. The model mice were allocated into model groups and KXJD （30.42 g·kg^-1， continuous gavage for 5 days） groups. Normal mice were used as the control group. Specifically， mice were allocated into normal temperature， normal temperature model， normal temperature+KXJD， cold exposure control， cold exposure model， and cold exposure+KXJD groups. The pathological changes in skin lesions were observed by hematoxylin-eosin （HE） staining. The expression of cluster of differentiation （CD） 3⁺ T lymphocytes， CD11c⁺ dendritic cells （DCs）， phosphorylated extracellular signal-regulated kinase （p-ERK）， and substance P （SP） were detected by immunofluorescence assay. The protein level of transient receptor potential cation channel subfamily M member 8 （TRPM8） in the skin tissue was determined by Western blot. The expression of TRPM8， transient receptor potential cation channel subfamily V member 1 （TRPV1）， transient receptor potential cation channel subfamily A member 1 （TRPA1）， and transient receptor potential cation channel subfamily V member 2 （TRPV2） at the protein and mRNA levels was determined by immunohistochemistry and Real-time PCR， respectively. The levels of calcitonin gene-related peptide （CGRP） and neuropeptide Y （NPY） in the serum were analyzed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA）. The enrichment analysis of differentially expressed genes （DEGs） and TRP pathway network construction were conducted based on the GEO database. The co-expression of TRPM8 and CGRP in the skin lesions was verified by immunofluorescence double labeling. ResultsBoth the normal temperature and cold exposure model groups showed typical psoriasis-like skin lesions. Compared with the normal temperature and cold exposure control groups， the model groups had excessive epidermal keratinization， thickened spinous layer， and inflammatory infiltration in the dermis， with increased pathological scores （P<0.05）， increased infiltration of CD3⁺ and CD11c⁺ cells and expression of p-ERK and SP， upregulated mRNA levels of TRPM8， TRPA1， and TRPV2， downregulated mRNA level of TRPV1 （P<0.05）， and reduced content of CGRP and increased content of NPY in the serum. Compared with the normal temperature and cold exposure model groups， KXJD reduced the pathological manifestations and pathological scores of psoriasis-like skin lesions （P<0.05）， and inhibited the infiltration of CD3⁺ and CD11c⁺ cells and the expression of p-ERK and SP. Gene enrichment analysis suggested that the DEGs of psoriasis were significantly enriched in the interleukin （IL）-17 signaling pathway and TRP channel inflammatory regulation. Compared with the normal temperature and cold exposure model groups， KXJD reversed the abnormal mRNA levels of genes related to the TRP channel subfamilies （P<0.05）， increased the CGRP level， and decreased the NPY level. Immunofluorescence double labeling further confirmed that compared with the model groups， KXJD down-regulated the co-expression of TRPM8 and CGRP in the skin lesions. ConclusionKXJD may ameliorate psoriasis-like skin lesions by downregulating the overexpressed cold-sensitive receptor TRPM8 in skin lesions and correcting the disorder of neuropeptide （such as SP and CGRP） release mediated by it， thereby inhibiting the IL-23/helper T cell 17 （Th17） core inflammatory pathway， suppressing the infiltration of inflammatory cells and the activation of the ERK signaling pathway， and regulating the Xuanfu （sweat pore）-TRPM8-neuroimmune response axis.

ObjectiveTo investigate the ameliorative effects and mechanisms of Kaixuan Jiedu core prescription （KXJD） on neuroimmunological inflammation in imiquimod （IMQ）-induced psoriasis-like mice. MethodsA total of 24 C57BL/6J mice were randomly divided into four groups （n=6）： Normal， model， KXJD， and tropomyosin receptor kinase A （TrkA） inhibitor GW441756 groups. The mice in the model， KXJD， and GW441756 groups were topically treated with 5% IMQ cream （62.5 mg·d^-1） on the back to induce psoriasis-like inflammation. The KXJD group received KXJD by gavage （30.42 g·kg^-1）， the GW441756 group received intraperitoneal injection of GW441756 （10 mg·kg^-1）， and the normal and model groups received an equal volume of normal saline by gavage， with continuous intervention for 5 days. The severity of skin lesions was evaluated using the psoriasis area and severity index （PASI）. Hematoxylin-eosin （HE） staining was used to measure epidermal thickness and observe pathological changes in the lesioned skin. Immunohistochemistry was employed to detect the expression of proliferating cell nuclear antigen （Ki67） and interleukin-17A （IL-17A） in the lesioned skin. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA） was used to quantify the levels of interleukin-23 （IL-23） and calcitonin gene-related peptide （CGRP） in the lesioned tissues. Western blot was used to detect the expression of TrkA and phosphorylated TrkA （p-TrkA）. Immunofluorescence assay was performed to detect the expression of TrkA receptor， protein gene product 9.5 （PGP9.5）， cluster of differentiation 11c （CD11c）， and CGRP in the lesions. Flow cytometry was used to detect the activation of splenic dendritic cells （DCs）. ResultsCompared with the normal group， the model group exhibited typical psoriasis-like inflammation， characterized by erythema， infiltration and scaling， with histopathological findings of epidermal hyperkeratosis and acanthosis. The model group showed significantly increased expression of Ki67， IL-17A， IL-23 and p-TrkA （P<0.05， P<0.01）， increased fluorescence intensity of CD11c， and significantly decreased CGRP expression （P<0.05）. The splenic DC activation was significantly enhanced， as indicated by the increased mean fluorescence intensity （MFI） of CD86 （P<0.05）. Compared with the model group， both the KXJD and GW441756 groups showed amelioration of the psoriasis-like skin inflammation， with significantly down-regulated expression of IL-17A， IL-23 and p-TrkA （P<0.05， P<0.01）， significantly up-regulated expression of CGRP （P<0.01）， reduced CD11c⁺ DC infiltration， and restored splenic DC activation balance （down-regulated CD86 MFI and up-regulated CD80 and CD40 MFI）. Furthermore， the inhibitory effect of KXJD on Ki67 was significantly superior to that of the GW441756 group （P<0.01）. ConclusionKXJD may alleviate IMQ-induced psoriasis-like inflammation in mice by targeting and inhibiting TrkA receptor phosphorylation， regulating CGRP expression in the lesions， and ameliorating aberrant activation of dendritic cells， while also significantly inhibiting keratinocyte proliferation.

ObjectiveTo investigate the effects and molecular mechanisms of Kaixuan Jiedu core prescription （KXJD） on neuroinflammation and immuno-inflammation in the mouse model of imiquimod （IMQ）-induced psoriasis-like skin lesions by regulating the nerve growth factor （NGF）-tropomyosin receptor kinase A （TrkA）/transient receptor potential vanilloid 1 （TRPV1）-protease-activated receptor-2 （PAR-2） signaling pathway. MethodsA psoriasis-like skin lesion model was established in male C57BL/6J mice with IMQ. A total of 24 mice were randomized into four groups （n=6 per group）： Blank control， model， methotrexate （MTX， 1 mg·kg^-1）， and KXJD （30.42 g·kg^-1）. Immunohistochemistry was employed to detect the expression of cluster of differentiation 3 （CD3）， EGF-like module-containing mucin-like hormone receptor-like 1 （F4/80）， lymphocyte antigen 6 complex locus G （Ly-6G）， substance P （SP）， calcitonin gene-related peptide （CGRP）， NGF， phosphorylated TrkA （p-TrkA）， phosphorylated TRPV1 （p-TRPV1）， and PAR-2 in skin lesions. Serum levels of interleukin-17A （IL-17A） and interleukin-23 （IL-23） were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA）. Immunofluorescence assay and Western blot were employed to determine the expression of phosphorylated p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase （p-p38 MAPK） and phosphorylated nuclear factor-κB p65 （p-NF-κB p65）. Reverse transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction （Real-time PCR） was used to measure the mRNA levels of interleukin-1β （IL-1β）， tumor necrosis factor （TNF）， interleukin-6 （IL-6）， and C-X-C motif chemokine ligand 1 （CXCL1） in skin lesions. Correlation analysis was performed. ResultsCompared with the blank control group， the model group showed increased positive areas of CD3⁺， F4/80⁺， and Ly-6G⁺ in skin lesions （P<0.05）， elevated serum levels of IL-17A and IL-23 （P<0.05）， increased positive areas of SP and CGRP in skin lesions （P<0.05）， increased positive areas of NGF， p-TrkA， p-TRPV1， and PAR-2 （P<0.05）， elevated ratios of p-p38 MAPK/p38 MAPK and p-NF-κB p65/NF-κB p65 （P<0.05）， and upregulated mRNA levels of IL-1β， TNF， IL-6， and CXCL1 （P<0.05）. Compared with those in the model group， all the above indicators were reversed in the KXJD group （P<0.05）. MTX only downregulated the expression of p-TRPV1 and PAR-2 （P<0.05）， with no significant effects on the expression of NGF， p-TrkA， or CGRP. ConclusionKXJD inhibits the NGF-TrkA/TRPV1-PAR-2 signaling pathway to reduce neuropeptide release and simultaneously downregulates the p38 MAPK/NF-κB signaling pathway and the expression of downstream pro-inflammatory factors to ameliorate psoriasis-like neuroinflammation and immuno-inflammation. The therapeutic effect of KXJD on psoriasis-like inflammation is closely associated with the inhibition of the NGF-TrkA/TRPV1-PAR-2 signaling pathway. This study provides experimental evidence for the modern interpretation of the Xuanfu theory.

A scoping review was performed to systematically search and summarize the clinical research in the treatment of dysmenorrhea with oral Chinese patent medicines. The oral Chinese patent medicines for treating dysmenorrhea in three major drug lists, guidelines, and textbooks were screened, and the relevant clinical trials were retrieved from eight Chinese and English databases. The key information of the included trials was extracted and visually analyzed. A total of 50 Chinese patent medicines were included, among which oral Chinese patent medicines for the dysmenorrhea patients with the syndrome of Qi stagnation and blood stasis accounted for the highest proportion, and the average daily cost varied greatly among Chinese patent medicines. A total of 150 articles were included, involving 22 Chinese patent medicines, among which Guizhi Fuling Capsules/Pills, Sanjie Zhentong Capsules, and Dan'e Fukang Soft Extract were the most frequently studied. These articles mainly reported randomized controlled trial(RCT), which mainly focused on the comparison of the intervention effect between Chinese patent medicines combined with western medicine and western medicine alone, and the sample size was generally 51-100 cases. The high-frequency outcome indicators belonged to nine domains such as effective rate, adverse reactions, and laboratory examinations. This study showed that oral Chinese patent medicines had advantages in the treatment of dysmenorrhea, and the annual number of related clinical trials showed an overall growing trend. However, there were still problems such as insufficient safety information and vague description of traditional Chinese medicine(TCM) syndromes types in the instructions of Chinese patent medicines. The available clinical research had shortcomings such as uneven distribution of Chinese patent medicines, limited research scale, poor methodological rigor, and insufficient standardization of outcome indicators. In the future, it is necessary to deepen the development of high-quality clinical research and improve the contents of the instructions to ensure the effectiveness and safety of the clinical application of oral Chinese patent medicines in the treatment of dysmenorrhea.
Dysmenorrhea/drug therapy* ; Humans ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/administration & dosage* ; Female ; Administration, Oral ; Nonprescription Drugs/administration & dosage*

This study aims to explore the effects of Buzhong Yiqi Decoction(BYD) on the cyclic guanosine monophosphate-adenosine monophosphate synthase(cGAS)-stimulator of interferon genes(STING) signaling pathway in the mouse model of autoimmune thyroiditis(AIT) and the mechanism of BYD in alleviating the immune injury. Forty-eight NOD.H-2~(h4) mice were assigned into normal, model, low-, medium-, and high-dose BYD, and selenium yeast tablets groups(n=8). Mice of 8 weeks old were treated with 0.05% sodium iodide solution for 8 weeks for the modeling of AIT and then administrated with corresponding drugs by gavage for 8 weeks before sampling. High performance liquid chromatography was employed to measure the astragaloside Ⅳ content in BYD. Hematoxylin-eosin staining was employed to observe the pathological changes in the mouse thyroid tissue. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was employed to measure the serum levels of thyroid peroxidase antibody(TPO-Ab), thyroglobulin antibody(TgAb), and interferon-γ(IFN-γ). Flow cytometry was employed to detect the distribution of T cell subsets in the spleen. The immunohistochemical method was used to detect the expression of cGAS, STING, TANK-binding kinase 1(TBK1), and interferon regulatory factor 3(IRF3). Real-time PCR and Western blot were employed to determine the mRNA and protein levels, respectively, of markers related to the cGAS-STING signaling pathway in the thyroid tissue. The results showed that the content of astragaloside Ⅳ in BYD was(7.06±0.08) mg·mL~(-1). Compared with the normal group, the model group showed disrupted structures of thyroid follicular epithelial cells, massive infiltration of lymphocytes, and elevated levels of TgAb and TPO-Ab. Compared with the model group, the four treatment groups showed intact epithelial cells, reduced lymphocyte infiltration, and lowered levels of TgAb and TPO-Ab. Compared with the normal group, the model group showed increases in the proportions of Th1 and Th17 cells, a decrease in the proportion of Th2 cells, and an increase in the IFN-γ level. Compared with the model group, the four treatment groups presented decreased proportions of Th1 and Th17 cells and lowered levels of IFN-γ, and the medium-dose BYD group showed an increase in the proportion of Th2 cells. Compared with the normal group, the modeling up-regulated the mRNA levels of cGAS, STING, TBK1, and IRF3 and the protein levels of cGAS, p-STING, p-TBK1, and p-IRF3. Compared with the model group, the four treatment groups showed reduced levels of cGAS, STING, TBK1, and IRF3-positive products, down-regulated mRNA levels of cGAS, STING, and TBK1, and down-regulated protein levels of cGAS and p-STING. The high-dose BYD group showed down-regulations in the mRNA level of IRF3 and the protein levels of p-TBK1 and p-IRF3. The above results indicate that BYD can repair the imbalance of T cell subsets, alleviate immune injury, and reduce thyroid lymphocyte infiltration in AIT mice by inhibiting the cGAS-STING signaling pathway.
Animals ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/administration & dosage* ; Signal Transduction/drug effects* ; Thyroiditis, Autoimmune/metabolism* ; Mice ; Membrane Proteins/metabolism* ; Mice, Inbred NOD ; Humans ; Female ; Nucleotidyltransferases/metabolism* ; Male ; Disease Models, Animal