Erxian Decoction modulates Th17/Treg cells differentiation through LFA-1/ICAM-1/STAT3 pathway in menopausal dry eye disease

With the development of modern societies and the ageing of the population, the treatment of menopausal dry eye disease (MDED) has become a thorny issue for the medical profession. Erxian Decoction (EXD) is a traditional Chinese medicine prescription, which has performed good clinical effect on dry eye disease. In this research, we purposed to investigate the molecular mechanisms of EXD for the treatment of MDED. A MDED rat model was established, the results indicated that high concentration of EXD could significantly improve the tear secretion and tear film stability of the animal model. Next, we found that EXD worked through the LFA-1/ICAM-1/STAT3 pathway in the body, and EXD could regulate IL-17, IL-10, CTLA-4 and TGF-β1 to get Th17/Treg balance. In vitro experiments, the results indicated that EXD affected the differentiation of CD4+ T cells into Th17/Treg cells by inhibiting the expression and activation of LFA-1 on CD4+ T cells, thus exerting immunotherapy effect. Our research provided the experimental basis and associated mechanisms for the clinical application of EXD in dry eye disease.