Traditional Chinese medicine (Shenqinlong Qingfei Peiyuan) alleviate pulmonary infection in immunodeficient mice by suppressing HMGB1 and reversing macrophage polarization

Meijun Liu; Xiyuan Song; Xiaoli Chen; Pengfei Meng; Qian Yu; Liran Xu; Aiping Lyu; Kenneth Chat Pan Cheung

doi:10.1016/j.phyplu.2025.100826

Traditional Chinese medicine (Shenqinlong Qingfei Peiyuan) alleviate pulmonary infection in immunodeficient mice by suppressing HMGB1 and reversing macrophage polarization

Meijun Liu, Xiyuan Song, Xiaoli Chen, Pengfei Meng, Qian Yu, Liran Xu^*, Aiping Lyu^*, Kenneth Chat Pan Cheung^*

^*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journal › Journal article › peer-review

Abstract

Background: Pulmonary infections are a significant concern for HIV/AIDS patients, and the role of macrophage polarization is critical in this context. Shenqinlong Qingfei Peiyuan Granules (QFPY) have been reported to alleviate symptoms of these infections. This study aims to explore the mechanisms through which QFPY reduces lung infections by regulating macrophage polarization.

Methods: We developed an immunocompromised mouse model using Balb/c mice, simulating HIV infection by inoculating them with Friend Leukemia Virus (FLV, VR-245). Pulmonary infection was induced by nasal administration of Streptococcus pneumoniae Type III (ATCC 49619). The mice received QFPY treatment for 14 days. Post-treatment, we collected thymus, spleen, and lung tissue samples. T lymphocyte counts (CD3+, CD4+, and CD8+) were measured, and CD86 and CD163 expressions in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) from lung tissue were assessed using flow cytometry. Cytokine levels, including IL-1β, TNF-α, TGF-β1, and IL-10, were evaluated using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Additionally, HMGB1 mRNA and protein levels were measured using quantitative PCR (qPCR) and Western blot techniques.

Results: QFPY treatment showed efficacy comparable to the current standard treatment for lung infections, levofloxacin tablets (LEV). In our immunocompromised mouse model, QFPY treatment reversed thymus shrinkage, reduced spleen swelling, increased T cell counts, and inhibited M1 macrophage polarization. These effects were achieved by suppressing the expression of HMGB1.

Conclusions: QFPY effectively restored immune homeostasis and reduced inflammation in HIV/AIDS-related pulmonary infections by modulating HMGB1 expression.

Original language	English
Article number	100826
Number of pages	11
Journal	Phytomedicine Plus
Volume	5
Issue number	3
Early online date	13 Jun 2025
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1016/j.phyplu.2025.100826
Publication status	E-pub ahead of print - 13 Jun 2025

User-Defined Keywords

Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS)
CD4+ T cell
Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)
Macrophage polarization
Pulmonary infection
Traditional Chinese medicine

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10.1016/j.phyplu.2025.100826

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Liu, M., Song, X., Chen, X., Meng, P., Yu, Q., Xu, L., Lyu, A., & Cheung, K. C. P. (2025). Traditional Chinese medicine (Shenqinlong Qingfei Peiyuan) alleviate pulmonary infection in immunodeficient mice by suppressing HMGB1 and reversing macrophage polarization. Phytomedicine Plus, 5(3), Article 100826. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.phyplu.2025.100826

@article{b431141324234053a37a77b20fb86084,

title = "Traditional Chinese medicine (Shenqinlong Qingfei Peiyuan) alleviate pulmonary infection in immunodeficient mice by suppressing HMGB1 and reversing macrophage polarization",

abstract = "Background: Pulmonary infections are a significant concern for HIV/AIDS patients, and the role of macrophage polarization is critical in this context. Shenqinlong Qingfei Peiyuan Granules (QFPY) have been reported to alleviate symptoms of these infections. This study aims to explore the mechanisms through which QFPY reduces lung infections by regulating macrophage polarization.Methods: We developed an immunocompromised mouse model using Balb/c mice, simulating HIV infection by inoculating them with Friend Leukemia Virus (FLV, VR-245). Pulmonary infection was induced by nasal administration of Streptococcus pneumoniae Type III (ATCC 49619). The mice received QFPY treatment for 14 days. Post-treatment, we collected thymus, spleen, and lung tissue samples. T lymphocyte counts (CD3+, CD4+, and CD8+) were measured, and CD86 and CD163 expressions in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) from lung tissue were assessed using flow cytometry. Cytokine levels, including IL-1β, TNF-α, TGF-β1, and IL-10, were evaluated using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Additionally, HMGB1 mRNA and protein levels were measured using quantitative PCR (qPCR) and Western blot techniques.Results: QFPY treatment showed efficacy comparable to the current standard treatment for lung infections, levofloxacin tablets (LEV). In our immunocompromised mouse model, QFPY treatment reversed thymus shrinkage, reduced spleen swelling, increased T cell counts, and inhibited M1 macrophage polarization. These effects were achieved by suppressing the expression of HMGB1.Conclusions: QFPY effectively restored immune homeostasis and reduced inflammation in HIV/AIDS-related pulmonary infections by modulating HMGB1 expression.",

keywords = "Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), CD4+ T cell, Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), Macrophage polarization, Pulmonary infection, Traditional Chinese medicine",

author = "Meijun Liu and Xiyuan Song and Xiaoli Chen and Pengfei Meng and Qian Yu and Liran Xu and Aiping Lyu and Cheung, {Kenneth Chat Pan}",

note = "Publisher Copyright: {\textcopyright} 2025 The Author(s). Funding Information: The funding was provided by the Traditional Chinese Medicine Subject of Characteristic Major Discipline Construction Project in Henan Province under grant number: STG-ZYX02-202110; the General Research Fund (GRF) under grant number: 12101023; the France/Hong Kong Joint Research Scheme under grant number: F-HKBU201/22, PROCORE; and the Research Committee{\textquoteright}s Startup Grant (Tier 1) for the Academic Year 2020/21 with grant number: AY2020/21. HKBU Strategic Development Fund (grant number: SDF 19-1216-P03). HKBU Start Up Grant for New Academics (163088 RC) HKBU Cheung On Tak Endowed Professor in Chinese Medicine (Cheung On Tak Charity Foundation).",

year = "2025",

month = jun,

day = "13",

doi = "10.1016/j.phyplu.2025.100826",

language = "English",

volume = "5",

journal = "Phytomedicine Plus",

issn = "2667-0313",

publisher = "Elsevier B.V.",

number = "3",

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TY - JOUR

T1 - Traditional Chinese medicine (Shenqinlong Qingfei Peiyuan) alleviate pulmonary infection in immunodeficient mice by suppressing HMGB1 and reversing macrophage polarization

AU - Liu, Meijun

AU - Song, Xiyuan

AU - Chen, Xiaoli

AU - Meng, Pengfei

AU - Yu, Qian

AU - Xu, Liran

AU - Lyu, Aiping

AU - Cheung, Kenneth Chat Pan

N1 - Publisher Copyright: © 2025 The Author(s). Funding Information: The funding was provided by the Traditional Chinese Medicine Subject of Characteristic Major Discipline Construction Project in Henan Province under grant number: STG-ZYX02-202110; the General Research Fund (GRF) under grant number: 12101023; the France/Hong Kong Joint Research Scheme under grant number: F-HKBU201/22, PROCORE; and the Research Committee’s Startup Grant (Tier 1) for the Academic Year 2020/21 with grant number: AY2020/21. HKBU Strategic Development Fund (grant number: SDF 19-1216-P03). HKBU Start Up Grant for New Academics (163088 RC) HKBU Cheung On Tak Endowed Professor in Chinese Medicine (Cheung On Tak Charity Foundation).

PY - 2025/6/13

Y1 - 2025/6/13

N2 - Background: Pulmonary infections are a significant concern for HIV/AIDS patients, and the role of macrophage polarization is critical in this context. Shenqinlong Qingfei Peiyuan Granules (QFPY) have been reported to alleviate symptoms of these infections. This study aims to explore the mechanisms through which QFPY reduces lung infections by regulating macrophage polarization.Methods: We developed an immunocompromised mouse model using Balb/c mice, simulating HIV infection by inoculating them with Friend Leukemia Virus (FLV, VR-245). Pulmonary infection was induced by nasal administration of Streptococcus pneumoniae Type III (ATCC 49619). The mice received QFPY treatment for 14 days. Post-treatment, we collected thymus, spleen, and lung tissue samples. T lymphocyte counts (CD3+, CD4+, and CD8+) were measured, and CD86 and CD163 expressions in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) from lung tissue were assessed using flow cytometry. Cytokine levels, including IL-1β, TNF-α, TGF-β1, and IL-10, were evaluated using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Additionally, HMGB1 mRNA and protein levels were measured using quantitative PCR (qPCR) and Western blot techniques.Results: QFPY treatment showed efficacy comparable to the current standard treatment for lung infections, levofloxacin tablets (LEV). In our immunocompromised mouse model, QFPY treatment reversed thymus shrinkage, reduced spleen swelling, increased T cell counts, and inhibited M1 macrophage polarization. These effects were achieved by suppressing the expression of HMGB1.Conclusions: QFPY effectively restored immune homeostasis and reduced inflammation in HIV/AIDS-related pulmonary infections by modulating HMGB1 expression.

AB - Background: Pulmonary infections are a significant concern for HIV/AIDS patients, and the role of macrophage polarization is critical in this context. Shenqinlong Qingfei Peiyuan Granules (QFPY) have been reported to alleviate symptoms of these infections. This study aims to explore the mechanisms through which QFPY reduces lung infections by regulating macrophage polarization.Methods: We developed an immunocompromised mouse model using Balb/c mice, simulating HIV infection by inoculating them with Friend Leukemia Virus (FLV, VR-245). Pulmonary infection was induced by nasal administration of Streptococcus pneumoniae Type III (ATCC 49619). The mice received QFPY treatment for 14 days. Post-treatment, we collected thymus, spleen, and lung tissue samples. T lymphocyte counts (CD3+, CD4+, and CD8+) were measured, and CD86 and CD163 expressions in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) from lung tissue were assessed using flow cytometry. Cytokine levels, including IL-1β, TNF-α, TGF-β1, and IL-10, were evaluated using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Additionally, HMGB1 mRNA and protein levels were measured using quantitative PCR (qPCR) and Western blot techniques.Results: QFPY treatment showed efficacy comparable to the current standard treatment for lung infections, levofloxacin tablets (LEV). In our immunocompromised mouse model, QFPY treatment reversed thymus shrinkage, reduced spleen swelling, increased T cell counts, and inhibited M1 macrophage polarization. These effects were achieved by suppressing the expression of HMGB1.Conclusions: QFPY effectively restored immune homeostasis and reduced inflammation in HIV/AIDS-related pulmonary infections by modulating HMGB1 expression.

KW - Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS)

KW - CD4+ T cell

KW - Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)

KW - Macrophage polarization

KW - Pulmonary infection

KW - Traditional Chinese medicine

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U2 - 10.1016/j.phyplu.2025.100826

DO - 10.1016/j.phyplu.2025.100826

M3 - Journal article

SN - 2667-0313

VL - 5

JO - Phytomedicine Plus

JF - Phytomedicine Plus

IS - 3

M1 - 100826

ER -

Traditional Chinese medicine (Shenqinlong Qingfei Peiyuan) alleviate pulmonary infection in immunodeficient mice by suppressing HMGB1 and reversing macrophage polarization

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