Effect of Sheng Xuexiaoban capsules on Tregs in an ITP mouse model

Abstract

Objectives: To study the effect of Sheng Xuexiaoban capsules (SXXCs) on restoring immune dysfunction in ITP model mice.

Methods: We assessed changes in platelet counts, megakaryocyte counts, Treg functions, interleukin-2 expression, and other indicators to investigate the effect of SXXCs in the ITP mouse model.

Results: After treatment of the ITP mouse model with SXXCs, we found increases in platelets (577.35 ± 76.94 vs. 123.33 ± 16.24, P < 0.05) and the Treg number (7.35 ± 1.94 vs. 1.33 ± 1.24), and Foxp3 mRNA expression (2^-ΔCt: 0.2493 ± 0.03102 vs. 0.683 ± 0.05774, P = 0.0027). Decreased interleukin-2 produced by effector T cells was detected (2^-ΔCt: 0.6119 ± 0.01173 vs. 2.838 ± 0.1004, P < 0.001). SXXCs treatment significantly improved the proportion and function of Tregs. By increasing Foxp3 mRNA expression and decreasing interleukin-2, we restored immune tolerance to achieve a good therapeutic effect in ITP model mice.

Conclusions: We confirmed that SXXCs have a good therapeutic effect on ITP. Simultaneously we verified the important role of Tregs in ITP pathogenesis.

Keywords: ITP mouse model; Tregs; immune thrombocytopenia.

Figure 1.

Real-time PCR of Foxp3 mRNA in isolated Tregs of each group. Compared with the normal group, Foxp3 mRNA expression in ITP mice was decreased significantly (P < 0.0027). Compared with the ITP model group, Foxp3 mRNA expression was significantly upregulated in the SSXCs group (2^ΔCt: 0.2493 ± 0.03102 vs. 0.683 ± 0.05774, P = 0.0027).

Figure 2.

Real-time PCR of IL-2 mRNA in isolated Teff cells of each group. Compared with the normal group, IL-2 mRNA expression in the ITP group was increased significantly (P < 0.0001). IL-2 mRNA expression was significantly downregulated in the SSXCs group (2^ΔCt: 0.6119 ± 0.01173 vs. 2.838 ± 0.1004, P < 0.001), and Prednisone group (P < 0.0001) compared with the ITP group.