Effect of acupuncture on CD4+ CD25+ Foxp3+ regulatory T-cells in rats of embryo implantation failure

AIM：To observe the effect of acupuncture on CD4+ CD25+ Foxp3(forkhead box P3)+ regulatory T-cells(Treg cells) in rats with embryo implantation failure. METHODS：One hundred and forty-four pregnant rats were randomly divided into control group(N), mifepristone treatment group(M), mifepristone+acupuncture treatment group(A) and mifepristone+progestin treatment group(W). The rats in groups M, A and W were treated with mifepristone-sesame oil solution on day 1, while the rats in group N were injected with the same amount of sesame oil. The Housanli(ST36) and Sanyinjiao(SP6) points were selected for acupuncture. From day 1 to the time of death, the rats in group A were fasten up and then the acupuncture was performed. Accordingly, the rats in group N and group M were only fixed, and the rats in group W were given progestin. Implanted embryos in each group were counted. The proportions of CD4+ CD25+ Foxp3+ Treg cells in peripheral blood and CD4+ Foxp3+ Treg cells in the endometrium were detected by flow cytometry. The mRNA and protein levels of Foxp3 were determined by real-time PCR and Western blotting, respectively. RESULTS：Compared with group N, the number of implanted embryos, the percentages of CD4+ CD25+ Foxp3+ Treg cells in peripheral blood and CD4+ Foxp3+ Treg cells in the endometrium, and the expression of Foxp3 protein and mRNA in the endometrium were significantly decreased in group M(P<005). Compared with group M, the above indexes in group A and group W were significantly increased. CONCLUSION: The effect of acupuncture in rats with embryo implantation failure may be closely correlated with the modulation of CD4+ CD25+ Foxp3+ Treg cells.