title: Immunological benefits by ginseng through reciprocal regulation of Th17 and Treg cells during cyclosporine-induced immunosuppression.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  It is not clear whether ginseng affects cyclosporine A (CsA)-induced desirable immunosuppressive action. In this study, we evaluated the immunological influence of combined treatment of ginseng with CsA.
  
  
  METHODS
  Using CD4+ T cells from mouse spleens stimulated with the T cell receptor (TCR) or allogeneic antigen-presenting cells (APCs), we examined the differentiation of naïve T cells into T helper 1 (Th1), Th2, Th17, and regulatory T cells (Tregs), and their cytokine production during treatment by Korean Red Ginseng extract (KRGE) and/or CsA. The influence of KRGE on the allogeneic T cell response was evaluated by mixed lymphocyte reaction (MLR). We also evaluated whether signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) and STAT5 are implicated in this regulation.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Under TCR stimulation, KRGE treatment did not affect the population of CD4+interferon gamma (IFNγ)+ and CD4+interleukin (IL)-4+ cells and their cytokine production compared with CsA alone. Under the Th17-polarizing condition, KRGE significantly reduced the number of CD4+IL-17+ cells and CD4+/phosphorylated STAT3 (p-STAT3)+ cells, but increased the number of CD4+CD25+forkhead box P3 (Foxp3)+ cells and CD4+/p-STAT5+ cells compared with CsA alone. In allogeneic APCs-stimulated CD4+ T cells, KRGE significantly decreased total allogeneic T cell proliferation. Consistent with the effects of TCR stimulation, KRGE reduced the number of CD4+IL-17+ cells and increased the number of CD4+CD25+Foxp3+ cells under the Th17-polarizing condition.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  KRGE has immunological benefits through the reciprocal regulation of Th17 and Treg cells during CsA-induced immunosuppression.
authors: Convergent Research Consortium for Immunologic Disease, Seoul St. Mary's Hospital, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Korea; Transplant Research Center, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Korea.
authors: Seong Beom
authors: SB
authors: Heo
authors: Convergent Research Consortium for Immunologic Disease, Seoul St. Mary's Hospital, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Korea; Transplant Research Center, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Korea.
authors: Sun Woo
authors: SW
authors: Lim
authors: Centre for Rheumatic Diseases, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Korea.
authors: Joo Yeon
authors: JY
authors: Jhun
authors: Centre for Rheumatic Diseases, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Korea.
authors: Mi La
authors: ML
authors: Cho
authors: Convergent Research Consortium for Immunologic Disease, Seoul St. Mary's Hospital, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Korea; Transplant Research Center, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Korea; Division of Nephrology, Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul St. Mary's Hospital, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Korea.
authors: Byung Ha
authors: BH
authors: Chung
authors: Convergent Research Consortium for Immunologic Disease, Seoul St. Mary's Hospital, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Korea; Transplant Research Center, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Korea; Division of Nephrology, Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul St. Mary's Hospital, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Korea.
authors: Chul Woo
authors: CW
authors: Yang
keywords: Panax ginseng; T helper type 17; cyclosporine A; immune tolerance; regulatory T cell