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Copyright © 2022 Shi-Hua Xu et al. This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License (the “License”), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. Notwithstanding the ProQuest Terms and Conditions, you may use this content in accordance with the terms of the License. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Abstract

Background. The occurrence and development of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) are closely related to immune function, as is the capacity of hepatoma cells to escape. Immunosurveillance is a key mechanism. Catgut implantation at acupoint (CIAA) is a promising acupuncture improvement method that can regulate immunity and has been widely used in the clinical treatment of a variety of diseases. The aim of this study is to observe the therapeutic effect of CIAA on HCC and to investigate the potential mechanism of immune escape. Materials and Methods. A total of 40 mice were randomly divided into three groups: the HCC model group (n = 15), the CIAA treatment group (n = 15), and the control group (n = 10). HCC was chemically induced in 30 mice by the combination of DEN, carbon tetrachloride, and ethanol for 150 days. Among them, 15 were selected for CIAA treatment to ascertain the therapeutic effect. The mRNA expression levels of AFP, IL-10, PD-1, and CTLA-4 in three groups were examined by using RT-PCR. AFP and AKT expressions were measured by using western blotting. PD1, CTLA-4, IL-10, CD4+, and CD8+ protein expression levels were evaluated by using IHC. The mortality rate, body weight, and psychological conditions of three groups were also compared. Results. The mRNA and protein expression levels of AFP, PD-1, CTLA-4, and IL-10 were significantly downregulated in the CIAA-treated mice in comparison with HCC mice. IHC assay shows that CD4+ and CD8+ expression levels were notably upregulated after CIAA treatment. Western blotting assay shows that AKT pathway was deactivated in CIAA-treated mice. CIAA notably reduced the mortality rate and inhibited weight loss caused by HCC and improved the overall psychological condition of the mice. Conclusions. Taken together, our data corroborate the effective potency of CIAA in the treatment of HCC by and inhibiting immune escape and deactivating the AKT pathway.

Details

Title
Therapeutic Effect of Catgut Implantation at Acupoint in a Mouse Model of Hepatocellular Carcinoma by Suppressing Immune Escape
Author
Shi-Hua, Xu 1 ; Hao-Xuan Luo 2 ; Bi-Jun, Huang 3 ; Yu, Ling 1   VIAFID ORCID Logo  ; Shao-Ju, Luo 1 ; Hu, Hao 1 ; Li, Yan 4 ; Xiao-Tong, Lin 1 ; Zhi-Rui Cao 1 ; Yuan-Jiang, Deng 1   VIAFID ORCID Logo  ; Shi-Jun, Zhang 1   VIAFID ORCID Logo 

 Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510080, China 
 Department of Nephrology, Chongqing City Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chongqing, Chongqing 400021, China 
 Department of Experimental Research, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine Sun Yat Sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510060, China 
 Department of Pathology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510080, China 
Editor
Chan-Yen Kuo
Publication year
2022
Publication date
2022
Publisher
John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
ISSN
1741427X
e-ISSN
17414288
Source type
Scholarly Journal
Language of publication
English
ProQuest document ID
2630681415
Copyright
Copyright © 2022 Shi-Hua Xu et al. This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License (the “License”), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. Notwithstanding the ProQuest Terms and Conditions, you may use this content in accordance with the terms of the License. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/