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Planta Med 2013; 79(15): 1401-1407
DOI: 10.1055/s-0033-1350708
Biological and Pharmacological Activity
Original Papers
Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Triptolide Downregulates Treg Cells and the Level of IL-10, TGF-β, and VEGF in Melanoma-Bearing Mice

Biao Liu
1   Institute of Basic Research in Clinical Medicine, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
,
Hongqi Zhang
2   School of Chinese Medicine, Hong Kong Baptist University, Hong Kong, China
,
Jian Li
3   Preclinical College, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
,
Cheng Lu
1   Institute of Basic Research in Clinical Medicine, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
,
Gao Chen
4   School of Life Sciences, Hubei University, Wuhan, China
,
Ge Zhang
2   School of Chinese Medicine, Hong Kong Baptist University, Hong Kong, China
,
Aiping Lu
1   Institute of Basic Research in Clinical Medicine, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
2   School of Chinese Medicine, Hong Kong Baptist University, Hong Kong, China
5   E-Institute of Internal Medicine of TCM, Shanghai University of Chinese Medical Sciences, Shanghai, China
,
Xiaojuan He
1   Institute of Basic Research in Clinical Medicine, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
› Author Affiliations
Further Information

Publication History

received 01 March 2013
revised 09 July 2013

accepted 10 July 2013

Publication Date:
23 August 2013 (online)

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Abstract

Regulatory T cells play a key role in suppressing tumor immunity. Triptolide, a major active component isolated from the Chinese medicinal herb Tripterygium wilfordii, has been proven to possess multiple antitumor activities. Here, we investigated the effect of triptolide on regulatory T cells and on the level of IL-10, transforming growth factor-β, and vascular endothelial growth factor in tumor-bearing mice. Fifty male C57BL/6 mice were randomly grouped as follows: normal control group, model group with B16-F10 cells implanted, and three treatment groups with cyclophosphamide, triptolide-high dose, triptolide-low dose. The proportion of regulatory T cells in the spleen and axillary lymph nodes was evaluated by flow cytometric analysis. Production of cytokines IL-10, transforming growth factor-β, and vascular endothelial growth factor in serum was measured using enzyme-labeled immunosorbent assay kits. The mRNA levels of Foxp3, IL-10, and transforming growth factor-β in the spleen and vascular endothelial growth factor in tumor tissue were detected by real-time PCR. The results showed that triptolide significantly decreased the proportion of regulatory T cells and lowered the Foxp3 level in the spleen and axillary lymph nodes of tumor-bearing mice. Production of IL-10 and transforming growth factor-β in peripheral blood, and the mRNA level of IL-10 and transforming growth factor-β in the spleen were also decreased. Additionally, triptolide could remarkably inhibit production of vascular endothelial growth factor in tumor-bearing mice. In conclusion, our study demonstrated that triptolide might inhibit tumor growth by inhibiting regulatory T cells and some cytokines such as IL-10 and transforming growth factor-β, as well as production of vascular endothelial growth factor.

Key words

triptolide - regulatory T cells - melanoma - cytokines - Tripterygium wilfordii - Celastraceae
 

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