Abstract:Objective To investigate the therapeutic effect and mechanism of heat shock protein 65 (HSP 65) on ulcerative colitis (UC) in mice. Methods UC disease model was established in C57BL/6 mice by dextran sulphate sodium salt (DSS). UC mice were randomly divided into model control group (group B), low-dose group (group C), medium dose group (group D) and high-dose group (group E). Mice in group C, group D and group E were respectively given 0.5?mg, 2.5?mg and 5.0?mg HSP 65 protein/kg body weight, respectively (once every other day for 7 times by gavage). Mice in normal control group (group A) and model control group (group B) received PBS solution by gavage. The mice were anesthetized and executed 2 days after the last gavage. The disease activity index (DAI) of mice in each group were analyzed. The histopathological score of colons (HSC) were examined by HE staining. After the nuclear cells were isolated from blood, spleen and mesenteric lymph nodes, the ratio of activated regulatory T cells (Treg) was detected by flow cytometry. Results DAI of mice in group B, group C, group D and group E were (3.66?±?0.39), (3.07?±?0.15), (1.50?±?0.43) and (0.83?±?0.31), respectively. DAI was decreased with treatment of HSP 65 in dose dependent manner (P?0.05). HSC of mice was improved with treatment of HSP 65 when compared with that in group B (P?0.05). Furthermore, HSC of mice was improved obviously in group E when compared with that in group C and group D in dose dependent manner (P?0.05). Proportion of Treg cells in the mesenteric lymph nodes of mice in group C, group D and group E were all higher than that in group B (P?0.05). Conclusions The HSP 65 protein can promote the remission of ulcerative colitis in mice potentially through activating the dormant Treg cells of mesenteric lymph nodes and decreasing inflammatory response.