Objective: Utilizing a gene reporter technique to study the effects of Andrographitis Herba on human CXCR4 and CCR5 promoters.
Method: Inhibition of CXCR4 and CCR5 on T cells of healthy volunteers was analyzed by RT PCR, Western blot and flow cytometry. The human CXCR4 and CCR5 promoters driving a luciferase reporter in vectors pGLA. 17-CXCR4 and pGLA. 17-CCR5 were transfected into H9 stem cells. G418 was used for selecting stable cell lines. Rat sera thus medicated was collected and added to the transfected H9 cells, in which the expression of CXCR4 and CCR5 promoters was detected.
Result: They showed that the mRNA and protein expression levels of CXCR4 and CCR5 in human CD4+ T cells decreased significantly after taking Andrographitis Herba (P<0.05). Furthermore human CXCR4 and CCR5 promoter activity was downregulated significantly by sera from rats medicated with Andrographitis Herba.
Conclusion: Andrographitis Herba may have the effect of down-regulating CXCR4 and CCR5 promoters. It provides a feasible experimental platform for screening herbal medicine as the treatment of HIV/AIDS.