Masateru Uchiyama

Auditory stimulation of opera music induced prolongation of murine cardiac allograft survival and maintained generation of regulatory CD4+CD25+ cells

BackgroundInteractions between the immune response and brain functions such as olfactory, auditory, and visual sensations are likely. This study investigated the effect of sounds on alloimmune responses in a murine model of cardiac allograft transplantation.MethodsNaïve CBA mice (H2k) underwent transplantation of a C57BL/6 (B6, H2b) heart and were exposed to one of three types of music--opera (La Traviata), classical (Mozart), and New Age (Enya)--or one of six different single sound frequencies, for 7 days. Additionally, we prepared two groups of CBA recipients with tympanic membrane perforation exposed to opera for 7 days and CBA recipients exposed to opera for 7 days before transplantation (pre-treatment). An adoptive transfer study was performed to determine whether regulatory cells were generated in allograft recipients. Immunohistochemical, cell-proliferation, cytokine, and flow cytometry assessments were also performed.ResultsCBA recipients of a B6 cardiac graft that were exposed to opera music and Mozart had significantly prolonged allograft survival (median survival times [MSTs], 26.5 and 20 days, respectively), whereas those exposed to a single sound frequency (100, 500, 1000, 5000, 10,000, or 20,000 Hz) or Enya did not (MSTs, 7.5, 8, 9, 8, 7.5, 8.5 and 11 days, respectively). Untreated, CBA mice with tympanic membrane perforations and CBA recipients exposed to opera for 7 days before transplantation (pre-treatment) rejected B6 cardiac grafts acutely (MSTs, 7, 8 and 8 days, respectively). Adoptive transfer of whole splenocytes, CD4+ cells, or CD4+CD25+ cells from opera-exposed primary allograft recipients resulted in significantly prolonged allograft survival in naive secondary recipients (MSTs, 36, 68, and > 100 days, respectively). Proliferation of splenocytes, interleukin (IL)-2 and interferon (IFN)-γ production was suppressed in opera-exposed mice, and production of IL-4 and IL-10 from opera-exposed transplant recipients increased compared to that from splenocytes of untreated recipients. Flow cytometry studies showed an increased CD4+CD25+ Forkhead box P3 (Foxp3)+ cell population in splenocytes from those mice.ConclusionOur findings indicate that exposure to opera music, such as La traviata, could affect such aspects of the peripheral immune response as generation of regulatory CD4+CD25+ cells and up-regulation of anti-inflammatory cytokines, resulting in prolonged allograft survival.

An agonistic anti-BTLA mAb (3C10) induced generation of IL-10-dependent regulatory CD4+ T cells and prolongation of murine cardiac allograft.

Background The co-inhibitory receptor B and T lymphocyte attenuator (BTLA) has been implicated in the regulation of autoimmunity and may potentially play an important role in allograft tolerance. This study investigated the effect of an agonistic anti-BTLA mAb (3C10) in the fully major histocompatibility complex–mismatched murine cardiac transplantation. Methods CBA mice underwent transplantation of C57BL/6 hearts and received one dose of 3C10 on the day of transplantation (day 0) or four doses of 3C10 on day 0, 3, 6, and 9. Adoptive transfer studies were performed to determine whether regulatory cells were generated. Moreover, to confirm the requirement for regulatory T cell and Th-2 cytokines, anti-interleukin (IL)-2 receptor alpha antibody (PC-61) or anti-IL-10 antibody (JES-2A5) was administered to a 3C10-treated CBA recipient. Results CBA mice treated with one and four doses of 3C10 prolonged allograft survival (median survival times [MSTs], 43 and >100 days, respectively). Secondary CBA recipients given whole splenocytes or CD4+ cells from primary 3C10-treated CBA recipients had significantly prolonged survival of C57BL/6 hearts (MSTs, >100 in both). Also, flow cytometry studies showed an increased CD4+CD25+Foxp3+ cell population in 3C10-treated mice. Additionally, IL-2 and interferon-&ggr; production were suppressed in 3C10-treated mice, and IL-4 and IL-10 from 3C10-treated CBA mice increased. Moreover, 3C10 directly suppressed alloproliferation in a mixed leukocyte culture. However, administration of PC-61 or JES-2A5 clearly attenuated prolonged survival of 3C10-treated mice (MSTs, 15.5 and 13.5 days, respectively). Conclusion 3C10 could control acute rejection by its suppressive effect on alloreactive T cells and induction of IL-10-dependent regulatory CD4+ T cells.

Danazol induces prolonged survival of fully allogeneic cardiac grafts and maintains the generation of regulatory CD4(+) cells in mice.

Danazol, a derivative of testosterone, is useful for treatment of endometriosis as well as pretreatment for in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer, although its mechanisms of action are unclear. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of danazol on alloimmune responses in murine heart transplantation. CBA male mice (H2k) underwent transplantation of C57BL/6 male (H2b) hearts and received a single dose of danazol (0.4, 1.2 or 4 mg/kg/day) by intraperitoneal injection on the day of transplantation and for 6 days thereafter. An adoptive transfer study was performed to determine whether regulatory cells were generated. The median survival time (MST) of allografts in danazol‐treated (1.2 and 4 mg/kg/day) mice was 28 and 63 days, respectively, compared with 7 days in untreated mice. Moreover, secondary CBA recipients given whole splenocytes or CD4+ cells from primary danazol‐treated (4 mg/kg/day) CBA recipients 30 days after transplantation had prolonged allograft survival (MSTs, 29 and 60 days, respectively). Cell proliferation, interleukin (IL)‐2 and interferon‐γ were suppressed in danazol‐treated mice, whereas IL‐4 and IL‐10 were up‐regulated. Moreover, danazol directly suppressed allo‐proliferation in a mixed leukocyte culture. Flow cytometry showed an increased CD4+ CD25+ Foxp3+ cell population in splenocytes from danazol‐treated mice. Danazol prolongs cardiac allograft survival and generates regulatory CD4+ cells.

Music exposure induced prolongation of cardiac allograft survival and generated regulatory CD4⁺ cells in mice.

In clinical practice, music has been used to decrease stress, heart rate, and blood pressure and to provide a distraction from disease symptoms. We investigated sound effects on alloimmune responses in murine heart transplantation. Naïve and eardrum-ruptured CBA/N (CBA, H2(K)) underwent transplantation of a C57BL/6 (B6, H2(b)) heart and were exposed to 1 of 3 types of music-opera (La Traviata), classical (Mozart), and New Age (Enya)-or 1 of 6 different single sound frequencies for 7 days. An adoptive transfer study was performed to determine whether regulatory cells were generated in allograft recipients. Cell-proliferation, cytokine, and flow cytometry assessments were also performed. CBA recipients of a B6 graft exposed to opera and classical music had significantly prolonged allograft survival (median survival times [MSTs], 26.5 and 20 days, respectively), whereas those exposed to 6 single sound frequencies and New Age did not (MSTs, 7, 8, 9, 8, 8, 8, and 11 days, respectively). Untreated and eardrum-ruptured CBA rejected B6 grafts acutely (MSTs, 7 and 8.5 days, respectively). Adoptive transfer of whole splenocytes, CD4(+) cells, and CD4(+)CD25(+) cells from opera-exposed primary recipients resulted in significantly prolonged allograft survival in naive secondary recipients (MSTs, 36, 68, and >50 days, respectively). Cell-proliferation, interleukin (IL)-2 and interferon-γ were suppressed in opera-exposed mice, whereas IL-4 and IL-10 from opera-exposed recipients were up-regulated. Flow cytometry studies showed an increased CD4(+)CD25(+)Foxp3(+) cell population in splenocytes from opera-exposed mice. In conclusion, exposure to some types of music may induce prolonged survival of fully allogeneic cardiac allografts and generate CD4(+)CD25(+)Foxp3(+) regulatory cells.

Induction of regulatory T cells and prolongation of survival of fully allogeneic cardiac grafts by administration of Tokishakuyaku-san in mice

BACKGROUND The Japanese herbal medicine Tokishakuyaku-san (TJ-23) has been used to treat neurodegenerative, immune, and respiratory tract diseases, as well as many gynecologic disorders, with few adverse effects. This study investigated the effect of TJ-23 on alloimmune responses in a murine model of cardiac allograft transplantation. METHODS CBA mice underwent transplantation of a C57BL/6 heart and received oral administration of 2 g/kg per day of TJ-23 or 1 of 16 other commonly used Japanese herbal medicines from the day of transplantation until 7 days afterward. An adoptive transfer study was conducted to determine whether regulatory cells were generated. Histologic and cell proliferation studies, cytokine measurements, and flow cytometry analyses were also performed. RESULTS Of the 17 herbal medicines studied, only TJ-23, given in a dose of 2 g/kg per day, induced significantly prolonged allograft survival (median survival time [MST], >100 days). TJ-23 also suppressed proliferation of splenocytes and production of interleukin-2, interleukin-6, and interferon-γ. Adoptive transfer of either whole splenocytes or CD4(+) or CD4(+) CD25(+) cells from TJ-23-treated allograft recipients resulted in indefinite survival of allografts in naive secondary recipients (MST >100 days). Flow cytometry studies showed that the CD4(+) CD25(+) forkhead/winged-helix (FOXP3)(+) regulatory cell population was increased in transplant recipients given TJ-23. CONCLUSION TJ-23 induced hyporesponsiveness to fully allogeneic cardiac allografts and generated CD4(+) CD25(+) regulatory cells in our model.

Treadmill exercise induces murine cardiac allograft survival and generates regulatory T cell

Exercise therapy has been associated with improvement in functional capacity and quality of life. The role of exercise therapy in heart transplant recipients is of great interest for the transplant society, although concerning the effect of exercise therapy, there is little knowledge at present. We analyzed the effects of exercise on alloimmune responses in murine cardiac allograft transplantation. CBA mice (H2k) underwent transplantation of C57Bl/6 (H2b) hearts and exercised on a treadmill. Untreated CBA recipients rejected C57Bl/6 cardiac grafts acutely (median survival time [MST], 7 days). CBA recipients treated with treadmill for 1 week after transplantation, and for 1 week both before and after transplantation prolonged allograft survivals (MSTs, 35 and 18 days, respectively). However, treadmill exercise recipients for 1 week before transplantation were not effective to allograft survival (MST, 8 days). Adoptive transfer of whole splenocytes and CD4+ cells from treadmill exercise recipients significantly prolonged allograft survival in naive secondary recipients (MSTs, 30 and 52 days, respectively), suggesting that regulatory cells was generated after treadmill exercise. Moreover, flow cytometry studies showed that CD4+CD25+Foxp3+ cell population increased in treadmill exercise recipients. Therefore, postoperative but not pre‐operative exercise could induce prolongation of survival of fully allogeneic cardiac allografts and generate CD4+CD25+Foxp3+ regulatory T cells.

Induction of Regulatory CD4+ Cells and Prolongation of Survival of Fully Allogeneic Murine Cardiac Grafts by Danazol

Danazol, a modified testosterone, has been used to treat endometriosis and pretreatment before in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer, although its reproductive mechanisms remain unclear. We investigated the effect of danazol on alloimmune responses in murine heart transplantation. CBA male mice (H2(k)) that underwent transplantation of C57BL/6 (B6, H2(b)) hearts received danazol (0.4 and 4 mg/kg/d) by intraperitoneal injection from the day of transplantation to days 6. We performed an adoptive transfer study to determine regulatory cells as well as cell proliferation, cytokine, and flow cytometry assessments. Danazol-treated (4 mg/kg/d) CBA mice showed prolonged allograft survival (median survival time [MST], 63 days). Moreover, secondary CBA recipients of whole splenocytes and CD4(+) cells from primary danazol-treated (4 mg/kg/d) CBA recipients at 30 days after transplantation displayed prolonged allograft survival (MSTs, 29 and 60 days, respectively). Cell proliferation, interleukin (IL)-2, and interferon-γ were suppressed in danazol-treated mice, whereas IL-4 and IL-10 were up-regulated. Moreover, danazol directly suppressed alloproliferation in mixed leukocyte cultures. Flow cytometry studies showed an increased CD4(+)CD25(+)Foxp3(+) cell population among splenocytes from danazol-treated mice. In conclusion, danazol induced prolonged cardiac allograft survival and generation of regulatory CD4(+) cells.

Inchingorei-san (TJ-117) and Artemisiae Capillaris Herba Induced Prolonged Survival of Fully Mismatched Cardiac Allografts and Generated Regulatory Cells in Mice

We investigated Inchingorei-san (TJ-117), a 6-component Japanese herbal medicine, on alloimmune responses in murine cardiac allograft transplantation. CBA mice underwent transplantation of a C57BL/6 (B6) heart and received oral administration of TJ-117 or each component of TJ-117 from the day of transplantation until 7 days afterward. Naive CBA mice rejected B6 cardiac grafts acutely (median survival time (MST), 7 days). CBA recipients given 1 g/kg/day of TJ-117 had prolonged B6 allograft survival (MST, 37 days). Moreover, given 1 g/kg/day of Artemisiae Capillaris Herba (ACH), one component of TJ-117, indefinitely prolonged B6 allograft survival (MST, >100 days). However, other five components of TJ-117 were less effective than TJ-117 and ACH. Secondary CBA recipients given whole splenocytes, CD4+, and CD4+CD25+ cells from primary ACH-treated CBA recipients with B6 cardiac allografts 30 days after grafting had prolonged survival of B6 hearts (MSTs, 57, >100, and >100 days, resp.). Flow cytometry studies showed that the CD4+CD25+Foxp3+ regulatory cell population was increased in transplant recipients given ACH. Cell proliferation, interleukin-2, and interferon-γ were suppressed in ACH-treated mice, whereas interleukin-4 and interleukin-10 were upregulated. In conclusion, ACH, one component of TJ-117, as well as TJ-117 induced hyporesponsiveness to fully allogeneic cardiac allografts and may generate CD4+CD25+Foxp3+ regulatory cells.

Effect of 34 Kinds of Traditional Japanese Herbal Medicines on Prolongation of Cardiac Allograft Survival

Herbal medicines have been used for over 3,000 years in Asian as alternative therapy for their variety effects and have recently become popular in Europe and the United States. In the last 30 years, Japanese herbal medicines were widely used for treatment of diseases after been recognized officially by Japanese government. In this study, we investigated the effect of 34 kinds of traditional Japanese herbal medicines on alloimmune responses in a murine model of cardiac allograft transplantation. CBA mice (H2(k)) underwent transplantation of a C57BL/6 (H2(b)) heart and received oral administration of 2 g/kg/d of the 34 kinds of herbal medicines from the day of transplantation until 7 days afterward. Naïve CBA mice rejected B6 cardiac grafts acutely (median survival time [MST], 7 days). CBA transplant recipients given 2 g/kg/d of Sairei-to (TJ-114) and Tokishakuyaku-san (TJ-23) had prolonged C57BL/6 allograft survival indefinitely (both MSTs > 100 days). Moreover, CBA transplant recipients given Seisinrensiin (TJ-111), Tokishigyakukagoshuyushokyoto (TJ-38), Rikkunshito (TJ-43), Maobushisaishinto (TJ-127), Ninjin-yoei-to (TJ-108), Ryokan-kyomi-shinge-nin-to (TJ-119), Inchingorei-san (TJ-117), Hochuekkito (TJ-41), Kihi-to (TJ-65), and Sinbu-to (TJ-30) had also prolonged C57BL/6 allograft survival significantly (MSTs of 28, 22, 16, 14, 14, 13, 12, 9.5, 9 and 9 days, respectively). However, none of other 22 kinds of herbal medicines could prolong the allograft survival. Furthermore, oral administration of 2 g/kg/d of Daikenchuto (TJ-100) induced sudden death (within 1 minute) in CBA mice. In conclusion, 12 kinds of Japanese herbal medicines prolonged allograft survival and one showed toxic effect in mice.

The Smell of Tokishakuyaku-san (TJ-23) Induces Generation of Regulatory T Cells and Prolongation of Survival of Fully Allogeneic Cardiac Grafts in Mice

Oral administration of Tokishakuyaku-san (TJ-23), a Japanese herbal medicine, induces prolongation of cardiac allograft survival and generates regulatory cells in mice. Because herbal medicines usually have unique odor, and because smell is supposed to modulate the immune system, we examined whether the odor of TJ-23 induced prolonged allograft survival and regulatory cell generation. Naïve CBA mice (H2(k)) and olfactory-dysfunctional CBA mice after a stereotaxic operation underwent transplantation of C57BL/6 (B6, H2(b)) hearts, receiving fumigated water only or TJ-23 until rejection. Untreated or treated with water fumigation CBA mice rejected B6 cardiac grafts acutely (median survival times [MSTs], 7 and 8.5 days). When CBA mice were treated with fumigation of TJ-23, allograft survival was significantly prolonged (MST, 48 days). Olfactory-dysfunctional CBA mice treated with fumigation of TJ-23 rejected grafts acutely (MST, 7 days). Treatment with fumigation of TJ-23 also suppressed splenocytes proliferation and interferon-γ production. Secondary CBA recipients of whole splenocytes or CD4(+) cells from primary TJ-23-treated CBA recipients of B6 cardiac allografts at 30 days after grafting showed prolonged survival of B6 hearts (MST, >60 days). Flow cytometry studies showed increased CD4(+)CD25(+)Foxp3(+) regulatory cells in recipients given fumigation of TJ-23. In conclusion naïve but not olfactory-dysfunctional CBA mice treated with fumigation of TJ-23 displayed prolonged survival of fully allogeneic cardiac allografts and generation of regulatory cells.