Huo-Luo-Xiao-Ling Dan modulates antigen-directed immune response in adjuvant-induced inflammation.
BACKGROUND
HLXL is a traditional Chinese medicine that has long been used in folk medicine for the treatment of chronic inflammatory diseases. However, the precise immunological mechanisms by which HLXL mediates its anti-inflammatory activity are not fully defined.


OBJECTIVE
To determine the effects of HLXL on antigen-specific immune parameters in adjuvant-induced inflammation model in the Lewis rat.


METHODS
Rats were fed daily with either HLXL (2.3g/kg) or vehicle (water) beginning 3 days before subcutaneous injection of heat-killed Mycobacterium tuberculosis H37Ra (Mtb), and then continued for another 6 days. After 9 days of Mtb injection, the draining lymph node cells were tested for T cell proliferative and cytokine responses against mycobacterial heat-shock protein 65 (Bhsp65). Moreover, sera were tested for anti-Bhsp65 antibodies and nitric oxide (NO).


RESULTS
HLXL-treated rats showed reduced T cell proliferative response to Bhsp65 compared to control rats. Furthermore, HLXL suppressed IL-17 response but enhanced IL-10 response without much effect on IFN-gamma. HLXL treatment also reduced the levels of anti-Bhsp65 antibodies but not that of NO.


CONCLUSIONS
HLXL feeding modulated both the cellular and the humoral immune response to Bhsp65 favoring an anti-inflammatory milieu for the suppression of adjuvant-induced inflammation.
Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA.
Rajesh
R
Rajaiah
David Y-W
DY
Lee
Zhongze
Z
Ma
Arthur Y
AY
Fan
Lixing
L
Lao
Harry H S
HH
Fong
Brian M
BM
Berman
Kamal D
KD
Moudgil
D000818:Animals; D000917:Antibody Formation; D000941:Antigens / Q000276:immunology*; D016207:Cytokines / Q000378:metabolism; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D007249:Inflammation / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000276:immunology / Q000628:therapy*; D018836:Inflammation Mediators / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D008516:Medicine, Chinese Traditional; D051381:Rats; D011917:Rats, Inbred Lew
D000941:Antigens; D016207:Cytokines; D018836:Inflammation Mediators