Differential regulation of CD4+ T cell subsets by Silymarin in vitro and in ovalbumin immunized mice. 2018

Haideh Namdari, and Maryam Izad, and Farhad Rezaei, and Zahra Amirghofran
Department of Immunology, Medical School, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, 71348-45794, Iran.

CD4+ T cell subsets including regulatory T cells (Tregs), Th1 and Th17 are critical for control and development of inflammation and autoimmunity. We investigated the in vitro and in vivo effects of silymarin, a well-known herbal medicine on differentiation and function of Tregs and Th1 and Th17 responses. For in vitro study, mice splenocytes treated with 20-30 μg/ml silymarin were evaluated for gene expressions of specific transcription factors and cytokines of CD4+ T cell subsets using real-time PCR. Induction of Treg cell development in the presence of silymarin was performed on isolated naïve CD4+ T cells. Effect of silymarin-induced Tregs on T cell suppression was determined by CFSE labeling method. Results of this part showed that silymarin significantly decreased IFNγ, RORγt and IL-17 gene expressions and upregulated Foxp3, TGF-β and IL-10 mRNA. More silymarin-enhanced naïve CD4+ T cells differentiated to Tregs (67%) than the control (47%). Silymarin-induced Tregs reduced proliferation of naïve activated T cells (<50%). For in vivo study, mice were immunized with ovalbumin (Ova) on days 1 and 14. Silymarin (100 mg/Kg) was intraperitoneally administered two days before the first Ova challenge followed by on every day for two weeks. Splenocytes were then isolated for assessment of CD4+ T cell subsets and ex vivo analysis using flow cytometry. Treatment of Ova-immunized mice with silymarin increased Tregs (11.24 ± 1.2%, p < 0.01(but decreased Th1 (1.72 ± 0.4%, p < 0.001) and Th17 (1.07 ± 0.04%, p < 0.001) cells. Ex vivo Ova challenge of splenocytes from Ova-immunized mice treated with silymarin decreased proliferation of splenocytes, IFNγ (2.76% of control) and IL-17 (<8%) along with increased TGF-β (59.7%) expressions in CD4+T-bet+, CD4+RORγt+ and CD4+Foxp3+ T cells, respectively. In conclusion, silymarin promoted Treg differentiation and function and decreased Th1 and Th17 cells. Silymarin may differentially regulate CD4+ T cell responses which can provide potential benefits for its use as treatment of immune-related diseases. Graphical abstract ᅟ.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D007274 Injections, Intraperitoneal Forceful administration into the peritoneal cavity of liquid medication, nutrient, or other fluid through a hollow needle piercing the abdominal wall. Intraperitoneal Injections,Injection, Intraperitoneal,Intraperitoneal Injection
D010047 Ovalbumin An albumin obtained from the white of eggs. It is a member of the serpin superfamily. Serpin B14
D002454 Cell Differentiation Progressive restriction of the developmental potential and increasing specialization of function that leads to the formation of specialized cells, tissues, and organs. Differentiation, Cell,Cell Differentiations,Differentiations, Cell
D002478 Cells, Cultured Cells propagated in vitro in special media conducive to their growth. Cultured cells are used to study developmental, morphologic, metabolic, physiologic, and genetic processes, among others. Cultured Cells,Cell, Cultured,Cultured Cell
D005786 Gene Expression Regulation Any of the processes by which nuclear, cytoplasmic, or intercellular factors influence the differential control (induction or repression) of gene action at the level of transcription or translation. Gene Action Regulation,Regulation of Gene Expression,Expression Regulation, Gene,Regulation, Gene Action,Regulation, Gene Expression
D000818 Animals Unicellular or multicellular, heterotrophic organisms, that have sensation and the power of voluntary movement. Under the older five kingdom paradigm, Animalia was one of the kingdoms. Under the modern three domain model, Animalia represents one of the many groups in the domain EUKARYOTA. Animal,Metazoa,Animalia
D012838 Silymarin A mixture of flavonoids extracted from seeds of the MILK THISTLE, Silybum marianum. It consists primarily of silybin and its isomers, silicristin and silidianin. Silymarin displays antioxidant and membrane stabilizing activity. It protects various tissues and organs against chemical injury, and shows potential as an antihepatoxic agent. Carsil,Karsil,Legalon,Silimarin
D013154 Spleen An encapsulated lymphatic organ through which venous blood filters.
D014611 Vaccination Administration of vaccines to stimulate the host's immune response. This includes any preparation intended for active immunological prophylaxis. Immunization, Active,Active Immunization,Active Immunizations,Immunizations, Active,Vaccinations
D015496 CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes A critical subpopulation of T-lymphocytes involved in the induction of most immunological functions. The HIV virus has selective tropism for the T4 cell which expresses the CD4 phenotypic marker, a receptor for HIV. In fact, the key element in the profound immunosuppression seen in HIV infection is the depletion of this subset of T-lymphocytes. T4 Cells,T4 Lymphocytes,CD4-Positive Lymphocytes,CD4 Positive T Lymphocytes,CD4-Positive Lymphocyte,CD4-Positive T-Lymphocyte,Lymphocyte, CD4-Positive,Lymphocytes, CD4-Positive,T-Lymphocyte, CD4-Positive,T-Lymphocytes, CD4-Positive,T4 Cell,T4 Lymphocyte

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