Upregulation of interferon-γ and interleukin-4, Th cell-derived cytokines by So-Shi-Ho-Tang (Sho-Saiko-To) occurs at the level of antigen presenting cells, but not CD4 T cells

Ethnopharmacological relevanceSo-Shi-Ho-Tang (SSHT) or known as Sho-Saiko-To in Japanese and Xiao-Chai-Hu-Tang in Chinese has been used to treat chronic liver disease and other infections, and its hepatoprotective effects have been widely studied.Aim of the studyWe tried to investigate the immunomodulatory effect of SSHT on interferon (IFN)-γ and interleukin (IL)-4 and their Th1/Th2 transcription factors in vivo and in vitro since these two cytokines are important in determining the type of cell-mediated inflammatory and humoral responses.Materials and methodsSSHT was orally given to BALB/c mice for 7 days and then injected with anti-CD3 mAb intravenously. IFN-γ, IL-4, IL-2 and Th1/Th2-specific transcription factors as well as splenocyte subsets were measured. Splenocytes and CD4 T cells were cultured with anti-CD3 or anti-CD3/anti-CD28 in the presence of SSHT, its constituent herbs and baicalin, and the levels of cytokines and transcription factors were measured by ELISA and western blotting.ResultsOral administration of SSHT to mice in response to i.v. anti-CD3 injection enhanced the expression of IFN-γ, IL-4 and IL-2 in the serum and spleen at the secreted protein and mRNA level. This was accompanied by the upregulation of CD69 and CD4 T cell populations by flow cytometry. The upregulation of IFN-γ and IL-4 by SSHT did not occur in anti-CD3/anti-CD28 stimulated CD4 T cells in vitro. However, SSHT was capable of producing the cytokines in anti-CD3 stimulated splenocytes even in the absence of CD28, suggesting a role for some soluble factors produced by antigen presenting cells (APC). In support of this, we found that SSHT increased IL-12 and IL-6 in the same cells. STAT4, but not T-bet, was involved in the upregulation of IFN-γ by SSHT while the increased IL-4 expression was accompanied by a parallel increase in c-Maf but independent of STAT6 and GATA-3.ConclusionThese data indicate that the upregulation of IFN-γ and IL-4 by SSHT must occur through some interactions between APC and CD4 T cells. Taken together, the present data provide additional information on some of the immunological mechanisms of SSHT for treatment of liver diseases and infections.