Shi-Hua Xu1, Hao-Xuan Luo2, Bi-Jun Huang3, Ling Yu1, Shao-Ju Luo1, Hao Hu1, Yan Li4, Xiao-Tong Lin1, Zhi-Rui Cao1, Yuan-Jiang Deng1, Shi-Jun Zhang1. 1. Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510080, China. 2. Department of Nephrology, Chongqing City Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chongqing, Chongqing 400021, China. 3. Department of Experimental Research, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine Sun Yat Sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510060, China. 4. Department of Pathology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510080, China.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: The occurrence and development of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) are closely related to immune function, as is the capacity of hepatoma cells to escape. Immunosurveillance is a key mechanism. Catgut implantation at acupoint (CIAA) is a promising acupuncture improvement method that can regulate immunity and has been widely used in the clinical treatment of a variety of diseases. The aim of this study is to observe the therapeutic effect of CIAA on HCC and to investigate the potential mechanism of immune escape. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 40 mice were randomly divided into three groups: the HCC model group (n = 15), the CIAA treatment group (n = 15), and the control group (n = 10). HCC was chemically induced in 30 mice by the combination of DEN, carbon tetrachloride, and ethanol for 150 days. Among them, 15 were selected for CIAA treatment to ascertain the therapeutic effect. The mRNA expression levels of AFP, IL-10, PD-1, and CTLA-4 in three groups were examined by using RT-PCR. AFP and AKT expressions were measured by using western blotting. PD1, CTLA-4, IL-10, CD4+, and CD8+ protein expression levels were evaluated by using IHC. The mortality rate, body weight, and psychological conditions of three groups were also compared. RESULTS: The mRNA and protein expression levels of AFP, PD-1, CTLA-4, and IL-10 were significantly downregulated in the CIAA-treated mice in comparison with HCC mice. IHC assay shows that CD4+ and CD8+ expression levels were notably upregulated after CIAA treatment. Western blotting assay shows that AKT pathway was deactivated in CIAA-treated mice. CIAA notably reduced the mortality rate and inhibited weight loss caused by HCC and improved the overall psychological condition of the mice. CONCLUSIONS: Taken together, our data corroborate the effective potency of CIAA in the treatment of HCC by and inhibiting immune escape and deactivating the AKT pathway.
BACKGROUND: The occurrence and development of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) are closely related to immune function, as is the capacity of hepatoma cells to escape. Immunosurveillance is a key mechanism. Catgut implantation at acupoint (CIAA) is a promising acupuncture improvement method that can regulate immunity and has been widely used in the clinical treatment of a variety of diseases. The aim of this study is to observe the therapeutic effect of CIAA on HCC and to investigate the potential mechanism of immune escape. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 40 mice were randomly divided into three groups: the HCC model group (n = 15), the CIAA treatment group (n = 15), and the control group (n = 10). HCC was chemically induced in 30 mice by the combination of DEN, carbon tetrachloride, and ethanol for 150 days. Among them, 15 were selected for CIAA treatment to ascertain the therapeutic effect. The mRNA expression levels of AFP, IL-10, PD-1, and CTLA-4 in three groups were examined by using RT-PCR. AFP and AKT expressions were measured by using western blotting. PD1, CTLA-4, IL-10, CD4+, and CD8+ protein expression levels were evaluated by using IHC. The mortality rate, body weight, and psychological conditions of three groups were also compared. RESULTS: The mRNA and protein expression levels of AFP, PD-1, CTLA-4, and IL-10 were significantly downregulated in the CIAA-treated mice in comparison with HCC mice. IHC assay shows that CD4+ and CD8+ expression levels were notably upregulated after CIAA treatment. Western blotting assay shows that AKT pathway was deactivated in CIAA-treated mice. CIAA notably reduced the mortality rate and inhibited weight loss caused by HCC and improved the overall psychological condition of the mice. CONCLUSIONS: Taken together, our data corroborate the effective potency of CIAA in the treatment of HCC by and inhibiting immune escape and deactivating the AKT pathway.
Authors: Jimmy K Stauffer; Anthony J Scarzello; Jesper B Andersen; Rachel L De Kluyver; Timothy C Back; Jonathan M Weiss; Snorri S Thorgeirsson; Robert H Wiltrout Journal: Cancer Res Date: 2011-02-15 Impact factor: 12.701
Authors: Francesco Bellissimo; Marilia Rita Pinzone; Bruno Cacopardo; Giuseppe Nunnari Journal: World J Gastroenterol Date: 2015-11-14 Impact factor: 5.742