Identification of Baicalin as an immunoregulatory compound by controlling T(H)17 cell differentiation

PLoS One. 2011 Feb 16;6(2):e17164. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0017164.

Abstract

T(H)17 cells have been implicated in a growing list of inflammatory disorders. Antagonism of T(H)17 cells can be used for the treatment of inflammatory injury. Currently, very little is known about the natural compound controlling the differentiation of T(H)17 cells. Here, we showed that Baicalin, a compound isolated from a Chinese herb, inhibited T(H)17 cell differentiation both in vitro and in vivo. Baicalin might inhibit newly generated T(H)17 cells via reducing RORγt expression, and together with up-regulating Foxp3 expression to suppress RORγt-mediated IL-17 expression in established T(H)17 cells. In vivo treatment with Baicalin could inhibit T(H)17 cell differentiation, restrain T(H)17 cells infiltration into kidney, and protect MRL/lpr mice against nephritis. Our findings not only demonstrate that Baicalin could control T(H)17 cell differentiation but also suggest that Baicalin might be a promising therapeutic agent for the treatment of T(H)17 cells-mediated inflammatory diseases.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / pharmacology
  • Cell Differentiation / drug effects*
  • Cell Differentiation / genetics
  • Cell Differentiation / immunology
  • Drug Evaluation, Preclinical
  • Flavonoids / pharmacology*
  • Gene Expression Regulation / drug effects
  • Immune System / cytology
  • Immune System / drug effects*
  • Immune System / metabolism
  • Immunologic Factors / pharmacology
  • Interleukin-6 / pharmacology
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Mice, Inbred MRL lpr
  • Nuclear Receptor Subfamily 1, Group F, Member 3 / genetics
  • Nuclear Receptor Subfamily 1, Group F, Member 3 / metabolism
  • Th17 Cells / drug effects*
  • Th17 Cells / metabolism
  • Th17 Cells / physiology
  • Transforming Growth Factor beta / pharmacology

Substances

  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal
  • Flavonoids
  • Immunologic Factors
  • Interleukin-6
  • Nuclear Receptor Subfamily 1, Group F, Member 3
  • Transforming Growth Factor beta
  • baicalin