Objective To study whether Lycium barbarurn glycopeplide 3 （LBGP3） affects T cell apoptosis in aged mice. Methods LBGP3 was purified with DEAE cellulose and Sephadex columns. Apoptotic ＂sub-G1 peak＂ was detected by flow cytometry and DNA ladder was resolved by agarose gel electrophoresis. Levels of IFN-7 and IL-10 were measured with specific kits and mRNA expression was detected by RT-PCR. Apoptosis-related proteins of FLIP, FasL, and Bcl-2 were determined by Western blotting. Results LBGP3 was purified from Fructus Lycii water extracts and identified as a 41 kD glycopeptide. Treatment with 200 p.g/mL LBGP3 increased the apoptotic rate of T cells from aged mice and showed a similar DNA ladder pattern to that in young T cells. The reversal of apoptotic resistance was involved in down-regulating the expression of Bcl-2 and FLIP, and up-regulating the expression of FasL. Conclusion Lycium barbarum glycopeptide 3 reverses apoptotic resistance of aged T cells by modulating the expression of apoptosis-related molecules.
LONG-GUO YUAN HONG-BIN DENG LI-HuI CHEN DIAN-DONG LI AND QI-YANG HE
