Activation of Signal Transducer and Activator of Transcription 5 (STAT5) in Splenocyte Proliferation of Asthma Mice Induced by Ovalbumin

To investigate the role of signal transducer and transcriptional activator 5(STAT5)activated in ovalbumin (OVA)-induced splenocyte proliferation of asthma mice,an asthma mouse model was set up by intraperitoneal injection and aspiration of OVA with nebulizer.The proliferation of splenocytes isolated from the asthma mice was detected by [~3H]thymidine incorporation.The phosphorytation of STAT5 was examined by Western blotting and STAT5-DNA binding was measured by electrophoretic mobility shift assay(EMSA).OVA could pronouncedly induce the splenocyte proliferation of asthma mice in a dose-dependent manner compared with control groups.Phosphorylation of STAT5 and STAT5-DNA binding were observed in splenocytes from asthma mice induced by OVA at 1 h and 3 h.These results indicated that STAT5 signal pathway played an important role in lymphocyte proliferation of asthma mice induced by OVA.Cellular & Molecular Immunology. 2004;1(6):471-474.

Pharmacological Investigation on the Qi-Invigorating Action of Schisandrin B: Effects on Mitochondrial ATP Generation in Multiple Tissues and Innate/Adaptive Immunity in Mice

Schisandrae Fructus, containing schisandrin B (Sch B) as its main active component, is recognized in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) for its Qi-invigorating properties in the five visceral organs. Our laboratory has shown that the Qi-invigorating action of Chinese tonifying herbs is linked to increased mitochondrial ATP generation and an enhancement in mitochondrial glutathione redox status. To explore whether Sch B can exert Qi-invigorating actions across various tissues, we investigated the effects of Sch B treatment on mitochondrial ATP generation and glutathione redox status in multiple mouse tissues ex vivo. In line with TCM theory, which posits that Zheng Qi generation relies on the Qi function of the visceral organs, we also examined Sch B’s impact on natural killer cell activity and antigen-induced splenocyte proliferation, both serving as indirect measures of Zheng Qi. Our findings revealed that Sch B treatment consistently enhanced mitochondrial ATP generation and improved mitochondrial glutathione redox status in mouse tissues. This boost in mitochondrial function was associated with stimulated innate and adaptive immune responses, marked by increased natural killer cell activity and antigen-induced T/B cell proliferation, potentially through the increased generation of Zheng Qi.

Differential Effects of Yin- and Yang-Chinese Tonifying Herbs on Innate and Adaptive Immunity

The present study investigated the effect of treatment with methanolic extracts of Yin- and Yang-Chinese tonifying herbs on concanavalin A (Con A)/lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated splenocyte proliferation (adaptive immunity) and natural killer (NK) cell activity (innate immunity) in an ex vivo mouse model. The results indicated that while treatment with most Yin herbal extracts potentiated the Con A/LPS-stimulated splenocyte proliferation, only Yang (but not Yin) herbal extracts stimulated NK cell activity. The differential effects of Yin- and Yang-Chinese tonifying herbs on innate and adaptive immunity are consistent with the Chinese medicine theory which depicts the Yin and Yang functional components of Zheng Qi (vital energy), with the Yang component being responsible for the first line of defense against invading microorganisms (i.e., innate immunity) and the Yin oner serving as a follow-up defensive response (adaptive immunity).