Possible Involvement of Suppression of Th2 Differentiation in the Anti-allergic Effect of Sho-seiryu-to in Mice

Abstract

The clinical effectiveness of the Kampo medicine Sho-seiryu-to (SST) has recently been demonstrated in a double-blind randomized study of allergic asthma and rhinitis. We investigated the effect of SST on a type 1 allergic model in mice. Ovalbumin (OVA)-induced sneezing and the total and OVA-specific IgE levels were significantly suppressed with SST at 1.0 g/kg, but that of OVA-specific IgG(2a) was not. In the splenocytes isolated from SST-administered mice, OVA-induced interleukin (IL)-4 production decreased while interferon (IFN)-gamma production was not. The co-culture experiments using purified CD4(+)T cells and antigen-presenting cells (APCs) suggested that SST influenced both cell types. Flow-cytometric analysis showed that SST suppressed the number of IL-4 producing CD4(+)T cells but not the number of IFN-gamma producing CD4(+)T cells. The CD86(+) major histocompatibility complex class II(+) (MHC II)(+) cells and CD28(+)CD4(+)T cells were decreased by SST treatment, while CD80(+)MHC II(+) cells, CD40(+)MHC II(+) cells and CD154(+)CD4(+)T cells showed no change. These data suggested that SST may suppress IL-4 production in CD4(+)T cells via influencing CD28-CD86 interaction. In addition to the previously reported inhibitory activity on histamine release, suppression of Th2 differentiation at the stage of APC-CD4(+)T cell interaction may be involved in the anti-allergic effects of SST.

Allergic rhinoconjunctivitis: Complementary treatments for the 21st century

“…With sho-seiryu-to, CD86 major histocompatability complex II cells and CD28CD4 T cells were selectively suppressed, shifting the Th1/Th2 ratio toward a Th1 response and resulting in decreased IL-4 and allergen-specifi c IgE production with no effect on interferon-γ. This was consistent with the improvement in allergen-specifi c sneezing in mice [24].…”

Anti-allergic activity of a Kampo (Japanese herbal) medicine “Sho-seiryu-to (Xiao-Qing-Long-Tang)” on airway inflammation in a mouse model

“…This result suggests that SST shows antiallergic effects on immune systems in bronchoalveolar (BA) cavities but not on systemic immune responses. Recently, Ikeda et al [18] reported that OVA-specific IgE level in the serum and production of IL-4 in the splenocytes was suppressed by a pharmaceutical preparation of Sho- Fig. 6.…”

In vitro Action of Sho-Seiryu-to on Allergen-Exposed Mononuclear Cells

“…From a scientific point ofview, anti-inflammatory effects of SST have been shown in humans assessed in a double-blind randomized study on patients with allergies such as bronchial asthma and allergic rhinitis (7). Furthermore, there are several in vivo reports concerning SST immunomoduratory action on allergic pathology, such as suppression of Th2 differentiation at the level ofsynapse between antigenpresenting cells and CD4+ T cells (7), inhibition of histamine signaling targeting its receptor expression and synthesizing enzyme (8), and augmentation of NGF induction accompanied by allergic pathology.…”