Li Liu1, Yu-Qin Deng1, Wo-Er Jiao1, Yue-Long Qiao1, Ze-Zhang Tao1,2, Yong Wang3, Qing-Quan Hua1,2, Shi-Ming Chen1,2. 1. Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University 238 Jie-Fang Road, Wuhan 430060, Hubei, China. 2. Institute of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University 238 Jie-Fang Road, Wuhan 430060, Hubei, China. 3. State Key Laboratory of Analytical Chemistry for Life Science & Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Molecular Medicine, Medical School, Nanjing University Nanjing 210093, Jiangsu, China.
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Maggots are the larval stage of Lucilia sericata and have strong antibacterial activity and immunomodulatory effects. The objective of our study was to investigate whether maggot extracts can modulate regulatory T cells (Tregs) and treat allergic rhinitis (AR). METHODS: Mice were randomly assigned to five groups (n=6/group): normal, AR, Maggot, AR+ Maggot, and AR+ dexamethasone (DXM). The Total Nasal Symptom Score (TNSS), ovalbumin (OVA)-sIgE titers, histopathological characteristics and Th1-/Th2-/Th17-related cytokine levels were evaluated. The expression of T-bet, GATA3, RORγt and Foxp3 in the spleen and nasal mucosa of mice was detected, and the proportion of differentiated Tregs in the spleen of mice was determined. In addition, the effects of maggot extracts on the expression level of Foxp3 and the differentiation of Tregs in vitro were studied. Histological evaluation of the potential toxicity was also performed. RESULTS: Compared with the AR group, the AR+ Maggot group showed reduction in histopathological inflammation, downregulated OVA-sIgE titers, and restoration of the imbalance in cytokine profiles (P<0.05). After treatment with maggot extracts, the proportions of Tregs and Foxp3 expression in the spleen were significantly increased, the expression of GATA3 and RORγt was decreased (P<0.05), and the expression of T-bet showed no significant change (P>0.05). In vitro, maggot extracts promoted the expression of Foxp3 and differentiation of Tregs in a dose- and time-dependent manner (P<0.05). In addition, no obvious organ damage was observed in mice treated with maggot extracts. CONCLUSION: Maggot extracts can inhibit the progression of AR by upregulating the level of Foxp3 and promoting the differentiation of Tregs, thus serving as an alternate treatment for AR. AJTR
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Maggots are the larval stage of Lucilia sericata and have strong antibacterial activity and immunomodulatory effects. The objective of our study was to investigate whether maggot extracts can modulate regulatory T cells (Tregs) and treat allergic rhinitis (AR). METHODS: Mice were randomly assigned to five groups (n=6/group): normal, AR, Maggot, AR+ Maggot, and AR+ dexamethasone (DXM). The Total Nasal Symptom Score (TNSS), ovalbumin (OVA)-sIgE titers, histopathological characteristics and Th1-/Th2-/Th17-related cytokine levels were evaluated. The expression of T-bet, GATA3, RORγt and Foxp3 in the spleen and nasal mucosa of mice was detected, and the proportion of differentiated Tregs in the spleen of mice was determined. In addition, the effects of maggot extracts on the expression level of Foxp3 and the differentiation of Tregs in vitro were studied. Histological evaluation of the potential toxicity was also performed. RESULTS: Compared with the AR group, the AR+ Maggot group showed reduction in histopathological inflammation, downregulated OVA-sIgE titers, and restoration of the imbalance in cytokine profiles (P<0.05). After treatment with maggot extracts, the proportions of Tregs and Foxp3 expression in the spleen were significantly increased, the expression of GATA3 and RORγt was decreased (P<0.05), and the expression of T-bet showed no significant change (P>0.05). In vitro, maggot extracts promoted the expression of Foxp3 and differentiation of Tregs in a dose- and time-dependent manner (P<0.05). In addition, no obvious organ damage was observed in mice treated with maggot extracts. CONCLUSION: Maggot extracts can inhibit the progression of AR by upregulating the level of Foxp3 and promoting the differentiation of Tregs, thus serving as an alternate treatment for AR. AJTR
Authors: Steven Z Josefowicz; Rachel E Niec; Hye Young Kim; Piper Treuting; Takatoshi Chinen; Ye Zheng; Dale T Umetsu; Alexander Y Rudensky Journal: Nature Date: 2012-02-08 Impact factor: 49.962
Authors: Krisztian Nemeth; Andrea Keane-Myers; Jared M Brown; Dean D Metcalfe; James D Gorham; Jared D Gorham; Virgilio G Bundoc; Victor G Bundoc; Marcus G Hodges; Ivett Jelinek; Satish Madala; Sarolta Karpati; Eva Mezey Journal: Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A Date: 2010-03-15 Impact factor: 11.205