In vitro assays suggest Shenqi Fuzheng Injection has the potential to alter melanoma immune microenvironment

Juan Du, Brian Chi Yan Cheng, Xiuqiong FU, Tao Su, Ting Li, Hui Guo, Su Mei Li, Jin Feng Wu, Hua Yu, Wen Hua Huang, Hui Cao, Zhiling YU*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalJournal articlepeer-review

23 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Ethnopharmacological relevance A modern agent Shenqi Fuzheng Injection (SFI), prepared from Codonopsis Radix and Astragali Radix, has been commonly used as a supplementary therapy for cancers including melanoma. This agent was derived from a formula documented in the “National Collection of Chinese Medicine Prescriptions”. The formula has long been used as a remedy for Qi deficiency that is closely associated with cancer-related fatigue and poor quality of life. However, the antimelanoma mechanisms of SFI remain unclear. Here we tested if SFI exerted antimelanoma effects by reprograming the tumour immune microenvironment using in vitro assays. Materials and methods The cytotoxic activities of Jurkat T cells when co-cultured with A375 cells were determined in the presence or absence of SFI. The migratory activities of Jurkat T cells were examined in the transwell assay system. The mRNA expression and production of cytokines (IL-10, TGF β and VEGF) in A375 cells in the presence or absence of SFI were determined by real-time PCR and ELISA, respectively. Results When A375 cells were co-cultured with Jurkat T cells in the presence of SFI (220 µg/mL), a potent cytotoxicity effect against A375 cells was observed. Supernatants from A375 cells that were treated with SFI (110 and 220 µg/mL) significantly increased the migratory capacity of Jurkat T cells in transwell assays. SFI also markedly reduced the mRNA expression levels and the release of immunosuppressive cytokines IL-10, TGF-β and VEGF in A375 cells in a concentration-dependent manner. Conclusions SFI enhanced the cytotoxic and migratory activities of Jurkat T cells towards A375 melanoma cells. The effects were associated with SFI's suppression on immunosuppressive cytokines for their release from and gene expressions in A375 melanoma cells. These in vitro findings suggested that SFI might reprogramme the immunosuppressive melanoma microenvironment in vivo to enhance the cytotoxicity of tumour-infiltrating immune cells. This study provides a pharmacological basis for the adjunctive use of SFI in melanoma treatment.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)15-19
Number of pages5
JournalJournal of Ethnopharmacology
Volume194
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 24 Dec 2016

Scopus Subject Areas

  • Pharmacology
  • Drug Discovery

User-Defined Keywords

  • Ononin (PubChem CID: 442813)

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'In vitro assays suggest Shenqi Fuzheng Injection has the potential to alter melanoma immune microenvironment'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this