Abstract | OBJECTIVE: Regulatory T cells (Tregs) play a critical role in the regulation of T cell-mediated immune responses in atherosclerosis, a chronic autoimmune-like disease. Therefore, in this study, we aimed to investigate the therapeutic effect of amygdalin on atherosclerosis of apolipoprotein E deficient ( ApoE(-/-)) mice, and to explore its immune regulatory function by stimulation of Tregs. METHODS AND RESULTS: To evaluate the anti-atherosclerotic effect of amygdalin and for in vivo Treg expansion/activation analysis, ApoE(-/-) mice received intraperitoneal injections of amygdalin, and this therapy resulted in a comparatively 2-fold decrease in triglyceride (TG), 1.5-fold decrease in total cholesterol (TC) and low density lipoprotein ( LDL). By comparing the vessel areas, lumen areas, plaque areas, and aortic plaque coverage percentage, the effects of amygdalin on pre-existing lesions were assessed. Studies on IL-10 and TGF-β indicated that mice treated with amygdalin had increased expression of Treg-related cytokines. Meanwhile, flow cytometry and real-time PCR data showed that mice treated with amygdalin had higher percentage of CD4(+)CD25(+)Foxp3(+) T cells than untreated mice and increased expression of forkhead box P3 (FOXP3) gene. CONCLUSION:
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Authors | Deng Jiagang, Chunyang Li, Hailian Wang, Erwei Hao, Zhengcai Du, Chuanhong Bao, Jianzhen Lv, Yi Wang |
Journal | Biochemical and biophysical research communications
(Biochem Biophys Res Commun)
Vol. 411
Issue 3
Pg. 523-9
(Aug 05 2011)
ISSN: 1090-2104 [Electronic] United States |
PMID | 21756879
(Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)
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Copyright | Copyright © 2011 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. |
Chemical References |
- Apolipoproteins E
- Forkhead Transcription Factors
- Foxp3 protein, mouse
- Lipids
- Amygdalin
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Topics |
- Amygdalin
(therapeutic use)
- Animals
- Apolipoproteins E
(genetics)
- Apoptosis
(drug effects)
- Atherosclerosis
(drug therapy, immunology, pathology)
- Forkhead Transcription Factors
(immunology)
- Lipids
(blood)
- Lymphocyte Activation
- Male
- Mice
- Mice, Mutant Strains
- T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory
(drug effects, immunology)
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