Therapeutic Effect And Immune Modulation In Type ? Hypersensitivity Treated By Electro-acupunture At Zusanli(ST36)

OBJECTIVESIncreasing evidence shows the effect of electro-acupuncture(EA)therapy by its anti-allergic and anti-inflammatory properties,but the mechanisms on delayed-type hypersensitivity(DTH)are still undetermined.This study explored the immunomodulation and mechanisms of EA on OVA-induced DTH in mice.METHODS32 female C57BL/6 mice(about 18-20g)were randomly seperated into four groups(n=8 each): control,OVA-DTH,DTH+EA,DTH+Sham.The thickness of the foot pad was measured and the inflammatory cell infiltration was detected by HE staining.The levels of IgG and IgE in the serum and the levels of TNF-?,IL-4 and IL-5 in the supernatants of homogenized footpads were determined,by ELISA seperately.In addition,CD4~+IFN-?+ T cells and CD4~+IL-4+ T cells were detected by flow cytometry;Mean while,the expression of T-bet and GATA-3 protein was detected by Western blotting.RESULTSCompared with the model group,electroacupuncture treatment could significantly reduced the swelling of the foot pad(P<0.05),and there was no significant difference between the electroacupuncture group and the model group(P>0.05).Compared with the model group,EA significantly reduced the epidermal swelling of the OVA-induced foot pad(P<0.05).Compared with the model group,EA significantly inhibitd the levels of OVA specific IgG and IgE in the serum(P<0.01),and there was no significant difference between the electroacupuncture group and the model group(P>0.05).The infiltration of inflammatory cells in the dermis of the electroacupuncture group were significantly lower than those in the model group(P<0.01).There was no significant difference between the electroacupuncture group and the model group(P>0.05),suggesting anti-allergic effects involved in the modulation of EA against OVA-induced DTH.Compared with the model group,Th1 cytokine levels(IFN-? and TNF-?)in the electroacupuncture group were significantly decreased(IFN-?: P< 0.05,TNF-?: P<0.01).There was no significant difference between the electroacupuncture group and the model group(P>0.05).There was no significant difference in the levels of Th2 cytokines(IL-4 and IL-5)among the model group,electroacupuncture group and DTH+Sham group(P>0.05).It is suggested that the intervention of EA on “Zusanli” acupoint can improve the inflammatory response mediated by Th1 cells in OTA-induced DTH,and decrease the release of Th1 cytokines such as IFN-? and TNF-?.Compared with the control group,the number of CD4~+ IFN-? +T cells in the model group was significantly higher(P<0.05).There was no significant difference between the electroacupuncture group and the model group(P>0.05).There was no significant difference in CD4~+ IL-4+ T cell count between the control group,the model group and the electroacupuncture group(P>0.05).Compared with the model group,the ratio of Th1/Th2 cells(i.e,CD4~+IFN-?+T cells/CD4~+IL-4+T cells)in the DTH mice of the electroacupuncture group was decreased to the normal value(P<0.05).suggesting that the protective effect of electroacupuncture is related to the recovery of Th1 / Th cell balance.Compared with the control group,the activity of T-bet protein in the model group was enhanced,while the activity of T-bet protein in the electroacupuncture group was decreased,which had no significant effect on GATA-3(P >0.05).It is suggested that electroacupuncture at "Zusanli" can reduce the secretion of IFN-? by reducing T-bet protein levels,and induce Th cells to convert from Th1 to Th2.Conclusions:1.EA at Zusanli has obvious inhibit effects on OVA induced DTH inflammation in mice.2.EA at Zusanli treatment may improve Th1-mediated allergic skin inflammation via restoring Th1/Th2 balance by reducing expression of T-bet(an INF-? transcription factor).3.EA at Zusanli might be a useful and promising therapy for allergic inflammatory as well as Th1-mediated inflammation response.