title: In vitro assays suggest Shenqi Fuzheng Injection has the potential to alter melanoma immune microenvironment.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  A modern agent Shenqi Fuzheng Injection (SFI), prepared from Codonopsis Radix and Astragali Radix, has been commonly used as a supplementary therapy for cancers including melanoma. This agent was derived from a formula documented in the "National Collection of Chinese Medicine Prescriptions". The formula has long been used as a remedy for Qi deficiency that is closely associated with cancer-related fatigue and poor quality of life. However, the antimelanoma mechanisms of SFI remain unclear. Here we tested if SFI exerted antimelanoma effects by reprograming the tumour immune microenvironment using in vitro assays.
  
  
  METHODS
  The cytotoxic activities of Jurkat T cells when co-cultured with A375 cells were determined in the presence or absence of SFI. The migratory activities of Jurkat T cells were examined in the transwell assay system. The mRNA expression and production of cytokines (IL-10, TGF β and VEGF) in A375 cells in the presence or absence of SFI were determined by real-time PCR and ELISA, respectively.
  
  
  RESULTS
  When A375 cells were co-cultured with Jurkat T cells in the presence of SFI (220µg/mL), a potent cytotoxicity effect against A375 cells was observed. Supernatants from A375 cells that were treated with SFI (110 and 220µg/mL) significantly increased the migratory capacity of Jurkat T cells in transwell assays. SFI also markedly reduced the mRNA expression levels and the release of immunosuppressive cytokines IL-10, TGF-β and VEGF in A375 cells in a concentration-dependent manner.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  SFI enhanced the cytotoxic and migratory activities of Jurkat T cells towards A375 melanoma cells. The effects were associated with SFI's suppression on immunosuppressive cytokines for their release from and gene expressions in A375 melanoma cells. These in vitro findings suggested that SFI might reprogramme the immunosuppressive melanoma microenvironment in vivo to enhance the cytotoxicity of tumour-infiltrating immune cells. This study provides a pharmacological basis for the adjunctive use of SFI in melanoma treatment.
authors: Consun Chinese Medicines Research Centre for Renal Diseases, Hong Kong Baptist University, Hong Kong; Centre for Cancer and Inflammation Research, School of Chinese Medicine, Hong Kong Baptist University, Hong Kong.
authors: Juan
authors: J
authors: Du
authors: Consun Chinese Medicines Research Centre for Renal Diseases, Hong Kong Baptist University, Hong Kong; Centre for Cancer and Inflammation Research, School of Chinese Medicine, Hong Kong Baptist University, Hong Kong.
authors: Brian Chi Yan
authors: BC
authors: Cheng
authors: Consun Chinese Medicines Research Centre for Renal Diseases, Hong Kong Baptist University, Hong Kong; Centre for Cancer and Inflammation Research, School of Chinese Medicine, Hong Kong Baptist University, Hong Kong.
authors: Xiu-Qiong
authors: XQ
authors: Fu
authors: Consun Chinese Medicines Research Centre for Renal Diseases, Hong Kong Baptist University, Hong Kong; Centre for Cancer and Inflammation Research, School of Chinese Medicine, Hong Kong Baptist University, Hong Kong.
authors: Tao
authors: T
authors: Su
authors: Consun Chinese Medicines Research Centre for Renal Diseases, Hong Kong Baptist University, Hong Kong; Centre for Cancer and Inflammation Research, School of Chinese Medicine, Hong Kong Baptist University, Hong Kong.
authors: Ting
authors: T
authors: Li
authors: Consun Chinese Medicines Research Centre for Renal Diseases, Hong Kong Baptist University, Hong Kong; Centre for Cancer and Inflammation Research, School of Chinese Medicine, Hong Kong Baptist University, Hong Kong.
authors: Hui
authors: H
authors: Guo
authors: Consun Chinese Medicines Research Centre for Renal Diseases, Hong Kong Baptist University, Hong Kong; Centre for Cancer and Inflammation Research, School of Chinese Medicine, Hong Kong Baptist University, Hong Kong.
authors: Su-Mei
authors: SM
authors: Li
authors: Consun Chinese Medicines Research Centre for Renal Diseases, Hong Kong Baptist University, Hong Kong; Centre for Cancer and Inflammation Research, School of Chinese Medicine, Hong Kong Baptist University, Hong Kong.
authors: Jin-Feng
authors: JF
authors: Wu
authors: Consun Chinese Medicines Research Centre for Renal Diseases, Hong Kong Baptist University, Hong Kong; Centre for Cancer and Inflammation Research, School of Chinese Medicine, Hong Kong Baptist University, Hong Kong.
authors: Hua
authors: H
authors: Yu
authors: Livzon Pharmaceutical Group Co. Ltd, People Republic of China.
authors: Wen-Hua
authors: WH
authors: Huang
authors: College of Pharmacy, Jinan University, Guangzhou, People Republic of China. Electronic address: kovhuicao@aliyun.com.
authors: Hui
authors: H
authors: Cao
authors: Consun Chinese Medicines Research Centre for Renal Diseases, Hong Kong Baptist University, Hong Kong; Centre for Cancer and Inflammation Research, School of Chinese Medicine, Hong Kong Baptist University, Hong Kong. Electronic address: zlyu@hkbu.edu.hk.
authors: Zhi-Ling
authors: ZL
authors: Yu
mesh_terms: D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D018920:Coculture Techniques; D016207:Cytokines / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000378:metabolism; D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006801:Humans; D019169:Jurkat Cells; D008545:Melanoma / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology; D059016:Tumor Microenvironment / Q000187:drug effects*
chemical_list: D016207:Cytokines; D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal; C521737:shenqi fuzheng
keywords: Ononin (PubChem CID: 442813)