Astragaloside IV May Bind to CD25 Gene to Repress HBV Induced Regulatory T Cell Expression

The Chinese Traditional Medicine (CTM) Bushen formula is found to downregulate the expression of Regulatory T cells (Treg-cells) in chronic Hepatitis B (CHB) patients. This paper investigates the effects of Astragaloside IV, one substance the Bushen formula contains, on HBV induced Treg-cell transformation in animal models. Mice will be injected with HBV and grown for 3 months to simulate CHB patients. Astragaloside IV will be tested on dose-dependency by administering different quantities of the substance. There are two major types of possible results for the effects of Astragaloside IV on the expression of Treg-cells: (1) Astragaloside IV does downregulate Treg-cells, (2) Astragaloside IV does not downregulate Treg-cells. Astragalus mongholicus, the source of Astragaloside IV, is one of the many plants often used in CTM. This study will provide us with more details on the mechanisms which CTM treats diseases by analyzing at a molecular level.