Astragalus Oral Solution Ameliorates Allergic Asthma in Children by Regulating Relative Contents of CD4+CD25highCD127low Treg Cells.

Wei Wang,Wei Jing,Qingbin Liu

doi:10.3389/fped.2018.00255

Wei Wang, Wei Jing + Show 1 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.3389/fped.2018.00255

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Abstract

Objective: To explore the effects of Astragalus oral solution (AOS) on allergic asthma in children by investigating relative contents of CD4+CD25highCD127low Treg cells.Methods: The contents of Astragaloside A in AOS were detected by using HPLC. Eighty children with allergic asthma were recruited from February 2016 to June 2017, and randomly assigned into the control group (received placebo, 0.1% quinine chloride in deionized water, daily) and the AOS group (received 10 mL AOS daily). After 6-month treatment, therapeutic results were compared between the two groups. Serum levels of IL-10 and TGF-beta, Th1 cytokines (IL-2 and IFN-γ), and Th2 cytokines (IL-4 and IL-6) were measured by using ELISA kits. Relative contents of CD4+CD25highCD127low Treg cells were determined by using flow cytometry.Results: Astragaloside A was the main ingredient of AOS with 0.216 ± 0.027 mg/mL from six-batch samples. After 6-month therapy, the AOS group showed improved forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1) and the Pediatric Asthma Quality of Life Questionnaire (PAQLQ) scores compared with the control group (P < 0.05). Serum level of IL-10 was higher and the levels of TGF-beta, Th1 cytokines (IL-2 and IFN-γ), and Th2 cytokines (IL-4 and IL-6) were lower in the AOS group than in the control group (P < 0.05). AOS treatment increased the percentage of gated CD4+ T cells, CD4+CD25+ T cells, CD4+CD25high Treg cells, CD4+CD25+FoxP3+ Treg cells and CD4+CD25highCD127low Treg cells when compared with the control group (P < 0.05).Conclusions: Astragaloside A was the main component of AOS, and AOS ameliorated allergic asthma in children by regulating relative contents of CD4+CD25highCD127low Treg cells.

Highlights

Asthma is a common inflammatory disorder of the lungs and is often characterized by reversible airflow obstruction and bronchospasm
The results suggest that Astragalus oral solution (AOS) consumption increases the percentage of gated CD4+ T cells, CD4+CD25+ T cells, CD4+CD25high, CD4+CD25+FoxP3+ Treg cells, and CD4+CD25highCD127low Treg cells in children with allergic asthma
We only explored the effects of AOS on the serum levels of IL-10, TGF-β and the percentage of CD4+CD25+ T cells, CD4+CD25high, CD4+CD25+FoxP3+ Treg cells and CD4+CD25highCD127low Treg cells in Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs)

Summary

Introduction

Asthma is a common inflammatory disorder of the lungs and is often characterized by reversible airflow obstruction and bronchospasm. AR is one of the related factors in the pathogenesis of allergic asthma, which leads to a direct result of asthma onset [5]. With their similarities in etiology, location, pathogenesis, and pathophysiology, both AR and allergy asthma should be treated together [6]. Seasonal perennial allergens, such as grass, trees, pollen, house dust (HD), mold, and animal fur, can often cause allergic asthma in children [7, 8]. They can increase the expression of adhesion molecules in the nasal and bronchial mucosa, thereby aggravating respiratory allergies [11]

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