Analysis of the Molecular Mechanism of Qiteng Tang Decoction in the Immune Function Regulation of Membranous Nephropathy Using Fe3O4 Nanoparticles

Abstract

The study drew attention to the application of magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) in lymphocyte sorting and the effects of Qiteng Tang (QTT) (a decoction) on the immune function regulation of membranous nephropathy. Specifically, Au-encapsulated Fe3O4 MNPs (Au@Fe3O4 MNPs) were prepared and then characterized with 30 nm and 50 nm Fe3O4@Au MNPs used as controls. Subsequently, the polyacrylic acid (PAA) and streptavidin (SA) were used to modify the surface of MNPs to detect the changes in the carboxyl group content and coupling efficiency. Wsitar rats were used as the research subjects, and cationized bovine serum albumin (c-BSA) was injected to acquire the rat model of membranous nephropathy, set as the model group, with healthy rats set as the control group, and rats given QTT by gavage set as the QTT group. The three groups were compared for 24-h urine protein content, urea nitrogen, total cholesterol, blood creatinine, triglycerides, and albumin levels. The Au@Fe3O4 MNPs were used to sort CD4+ and CD8+ cells and count the peripheral blood lymphocyte subsets of each group. Finally, Western blot was used to detect the relative expression of LBP, CD14, JNK, and P38 protein in rat kidney tissue. The outcomes revealed that the surface of Au@Fe3O4 MNPs was negatively charged, which had a good dispersion property and magnetization responsiveness. The coupling rate of modified Au@Fe3O4 MNPs increased from 45.6±5.2% to 64.2±2.8%, and the sorting purity of CD+4 and CD8+ T cells was 96.3% and 96.8%, respectively. The animal experiment showed that the model group exhibited higher 24-h urine protein content, blood urea nitrogen content, the CD3 and CD8 lymphocyte counts, the LBP and CD14 expression levels, and JNK and P38 phosphorylation levels versus the control group (P < 0.05), while it showed lower total cholesterol, blood creatinine, triglycerides, albumin content, CD4 counts, and CD4/CD8 ratio (P < 0.05). However, it was not notably different from QTT group (P > 0.05). In conclusion, Au@Fe3O4 MNPs can effectively sort lymphocytes in peripheral blood. Furthermore, QTT can cure membranous nephropathy by inhibiting the activation of LBP/CD14 signaling pathway.