Effects of baicalin on Th17/Treg cell balance in experimental autoimmune uveitis rats by regulating the NLRP3/Caspase-1/IL-1β signaling pathway
YANG Jie
LYU Xudong
CHENG Xinchao
Abstract：Objective To investigate the effects of baicalin(BC)on the cell balance of helper T cells 17/regulatory T cells(Th17/Treg)and the nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain-like receptor protein 3/cysteine aspartate protease 1/interleukin-1β(NLRP3/Caspase-1/IL-1 β)signaling pathway in experimental autoimmune uveitis(EAU)rats.Methods An EAU rat model was established.Wild-type rats were included as controls.EAU rats were treated with blank control,or low-dose,medium-dose or high-dose BC,or high-dose BC+the NLRP3 activator monosodium urate(MSU).The Caspi score of the rat anterior chamber was graded.Relative levels of interleukin 17(IL-17),IL-6,IL-10 and tumor growth factor beta(TNF-β)were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA).T helper type 17(Th17),Tregs and Th17/Tregs were detected by flow cytometry.The hematoxylin and eosin(H&E)staining was performed to detect pathological changes in the eyes.Protein expressions of NLRP3,ASC(apoptosis-associated speck-like protein containing a CARD[caspase recruitment domain]),caspase-1 and IL-1β were detected by Western blot.Results EAU rats presented disordered and blurred retinal structure,wrinkles,massive damages to the photoreceptor cells and a large number of inflammatory cell infiltration.Compared with wild-type rats,EAU rats had significantly higher Caspi score,Th17,Th17/Tregs,IL-17,IL-6,and protein expressions of NLRP3,ASC,caspase-1 and IL-1β,but lower Tregs,IL-10 and TNF-β(P＜0.05).Inflammatory cell infiltration in retinal tissue was dose-dependently reduced by the treatment of BC in EAU rats.In addition,EAU rats treated with low-dose,medium-dose or high-dose BC had significantly lower Caspi score,Th17,Th17/Tregs,IL-17,IL-6,and protein expressions of NLRP3,ASC,caspase-1 and IL-1β,but higher Tregs,IL-10 and TNF-β than those of EAU rats with blank control(P＜0.05).EAU rats treated with high-dose BC+MSU had severe damages to retinal tissue,massive infiltration of inflammatory cells,significantly higher Caspi score,Th17,Th17/Tregs,IL-17,IL-6,and protein expressions of NLRP3,ASC,caspase-1 and IL-1β,and lower Tregs,IL-10 and TNF-β than those of EAU rats treated with high-dose BC(P＜0.05).Conclusion Baicalin can regulate Th17/Treg imbalance in EAU rats by inhibiting the NLRP3/Caspase-1/IL-1β signaling pathway.
Keywords：baicalinnucleotide-binding oligomerization domain-like receptor protein 3/cysteine aspartate protease 1/interleukin-1β signaling pathwayexperimental autoimmune uveitishelper T cell 17/regulatory T cell balance
Publication Date：2025-07-26
Online Publishing Date：2025-08-15(First online date of this platform, not the publication date of the document)
Pages：5( 1084-1088 )