Moxibustion activates host defense against herpes simplex virus type I through augmentation of cytokine production.
Moxibustion is a technique used in traditional oriental medicine, the aim of which is to cure and/or prevent illness by activating a person's ability for self-healing. In this study, we assessed how moxibustion would affect the immune system and whether it would augment protective immunity. Mice were treated with moxibustion at Zusanli (ST36) acupoints; we analyzed mortality and cytokine activity in sera after infection with herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1), and cytokine gene expression in the skin and the spleen without a virus challenge. Our study demonstrates that pretreatment of BALB/c mice with moxibustion resulted in a marked increase in the survival rate after infection with lethal doses of HSV-1, and elevated serum levels of IL-1β and IFN-γ on days 1 and 6 post-infection with HSV-1. Semi-quantitative RT-PCR assay showed that moxibustion treatment augmented the expression of IL-1α, IL-1β, IL-6, universal-IFN-α, MIP-1α, and TNF-α mRNA in the skin, and IL-1α, IL-1β, IL-12p40, IL-15, u-IFN-α, MIP-1α, and TNF-α mRNA in the spleen. Moreover, moxibustion induces augmentation of natural killer cell activity. Collectively, our study demonstrates that moxibustion activates protective responses against HSV-1 infection through the activation of cytokine production including IFN, and of NK cells.
Takayama
Yuko
Y
Department of Immunology and Microbiology, Meiji University of Integrative Medicine, Hiyoshi-cho, Nantan, Kyoto 629-0392, Japan.
Itoi
Manami
M
Hamahashi
Takashi
T
Tsukamoto
Noriyuki
N
Mori
Kazuya
K
Morishita
Daisuke
D
Wada
Kumiko
K
Amagai
Takashi
T
D000818:Animals; D016207:Cytokines / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics; D006561:Herpes Simplex / Q000276:immunology / Q000628:therapy*; D018259:Herpesvirus 1, Human; D007694:Killer Cells, Natural / Q000276:immunology; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D009071:Moxibustion; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000032:analysis
D016207:Cytokines; D012333:RNA, Messenger