Characteristics of immunological reconstitution of T-cell subsets after irradiation and immunoregulatory activities of Chinese medicinal herb cornus / 中国免疫学杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective:To explore the characteristics of immunological reconstitution of T-cell subsets and the role of Cornus,a Chinese medicinal herb on T lymphocytes in mice after irradiation (IR). Methods:Irradiated model mice were exposed to a single dose of X-ray radiation (2. 6 Gy) with or without Cornus treatments. Bloodroutine was examined before or after irradiation. CD3+,CD4+, CD8+ T cells and Th1, Tc1, Th2, Th17, Treg from spleen or peripheral blood were determined by flow cytometry. Results: Total lymphocytes and CD3+T cells including CD4+T and CD8+T cells,were significantly reduced 3 days after irradiation (P<0. 05). The re-constitution of CD3+ T cells ( especially CD8+T cells ) started from 5 days post irradiation, CD4+T cells increased 8 days after irradiation. However,the production of IFN-γ by Th1 or Tc1 cells were evidently decreased compared with control group even 8 days post irradiation (P<0. 05). In contrast to Th1,Th2/Th17/Treg were observably increased in irradiation group (P<0. 05). But the percentage of Th1 was obviously increased, and Th2, Th17, Treg were markedly decreased in cornus treated mice compared with irradiated mice (P<0. 05). Conclusion: The immunological reconstitution of T lymphocytes started from 5 days after total irradiation with rapid recovery of CD8+ T cells but not CD4+T cells. Cornus effectively improved the imbalance of T cell subsets by promoting the proliferation of Th1 and suppressing Th17 and Treg.