柴苓汤治疗自身免疫相关复发性流产的分子机理初探

目的:研究柴苓汤对外周血单个核细胞(PBMCs)Th1/Th2特异性转录因子T-bet/GATA-3 mRNA转录的影响,从基因水平探讨其治疗自身免疫性复发性流产的机理。方法:体外分离提取外周血单核细胞,在含有不同浓度柴苓汤的培养基中培养24 h,采用实时定量PCR技术检测T-bet和GATA-3 mRNA的表达。结果:柴苓汤浓度为10 g/ml时,PBMCs的T-bet mRNA表达水平(2.89±0.84)较对照组(1.66±0.14)增高,差异有显著性(P<0.05)。用1、10、100 g/ml浓度柴苓汤分别处理,GATA-3 mRNA的表达水平与对照组比较均无明显差异。结论:柴苓汤可上调转录因子T-bet mRNA的表达,进而可能通过增强Th1细胞因子产生、纠正自身免疫性复发性流产中Th2反应异常增强的Th1/Th2失衡状态,对其发挥治疗效应。     

Compound A, a dissociated glucocorticoid receptor modulator, inhibits T-bet (Th1) and induces GATA-3 (Th2) activity in immune cells

Background

Compound A (CpdA) is a dissociating non-steroidal glucocorticoid receptor (GR) ligand which has anti-inflammatory properties exerted by down-modulating proinflammatory gene expression. By favouring GR monomer formation, CpdA does not enhance glucocorticoid (GC) response element-driven gene expression, resulting in a reduced side effect profile as compared to GCs. Considering the importance of Th1/Th2 balance in the final outcome of immune and inflammatory responses, we analyzed how selective GR modulation differentially regulates the activity of T-bet and GATA-3, master drivers of Th1 and Th2 differentiation, respectively.

Results

Using Western analysis and reporter gene assays, we show in murine T cells that, similar to GCs, CpdA inhibits T-bet activity via a transrepressive mechanism. Different from GCs, CpdA induces GATA-3 activity by p38 MAPK-induction of GATA-3 phosphorylation and nuclear translocation. CpdA effects are reversed by the GR antagonist RU38486, proving the involvement of GR in these actions. ELISA assays demonstrate that modulation of T-bet and GATA-3 impacts on cytokine production shown by a decrease in IFN-γ and an increase in IL-5 production, respectively.

Conclusions

Taken together, through their effect favoring Th2 over Th1 responses, particular dissociated GR ligands, for which CpdA represents a paradigm, hold potential for the application in Th1-mediated immune disorders.