Population of CD40L-expressing cells was slightly but not significantly decreased in lymphoid tissues of collagen-induced arthritic mice treated with Hochu-Ekki-To.
OBJECTIVE
To clarify the mechanism of the action of Hochu-Ekki-To (HET) on collagen-induced arthritic (CIA) mice by analyzing the CD40L-expressing cells population.


METHODS
CIA was induced in male DBA/1J mice by immunization with two injections of bovine type II collagen (CII). HET or water was orally administered. The subpopulations of lymphocytes obtained from lymph nodes and spleen were detected at 3 weeks after boost using flow cytometry.


RESULTS
Although the population of CD4+CD40L+ cells tended to be decreased in the HET group compared to that in control mice, there was no significant difference between the two groups. These findings were observed in lymphocytes obtained from both lymph nodes and spleen.


CONCLUSIONS
HET suppresses the development of CIA. These effects may be partially induced via the decrease in the population of CD4+CD40L+ cells, but the role of this action is probably limited.
Kogure
Toshiaki
T
Dept. of Integrated Japanese Oriental Medicine, School of Medicine, Gunma University, Maebashi City, Japan. tkogure@showa.gunma-u.ac.jp
Tatsumi
Takeshi
T
Niizawa
Atsushi
A
Fujinaga
Hiroshi
H
Shimada
Yutaka
Y
Terasawa
Katsutoshi
K
D000818:Animals; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology*; D018791:CD4 Lymphocyte Count; D015496:CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D023201:CD40 Ligand / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism; D024043:Collagen Type II; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D007155:Immunologic Factors / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008221:Lymphoid Tissue / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology*; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008811:Mice, Inbred DBA; D008517:Phytotherapy
D024043:Collagen Type II; D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal; D007155:Immunologic Factors; C402943:bu-zhong-yi-qi-tang; D023201:CD40 Ligand