Abstract: AIM: To study the effects of astragalus polysaccharides (APS) on maturation and survival time of human dendritic cells (DCs) in vitro.METHODS: Peripheral blood mononuclear cells from healthy volunteers were cultured for 2 hours to acquire adherent monocytes. The monocytes were cultured with rhGM-CSF (1000 U/mL) and rhIL-4 (500 U/mL) in serum-free medium. The experimental groups were added three concentrations of APS (1 μg/mL, 10 μg/mL, 100 μg/mL), the control group were added equal volume of saline. One group of cells were cultured for 7 days and the cell suspension were collected to get normal DCs (Mo-DCs) or APS -induced DCs (APS-DCs) . The immunophenotyping was detected by flow cytometry, T cells stimulating activity of DCs were detected by allogeneic mixed lymphocyte reaction. Another group of cells were continuously cultured for 14 days and the cell morphology and survival time were observed under light microscope.RESULTS: APS could significantly promote the DCs surface HLA-DR, CD₈₃, CD₈₀, CD₈₆, CD₄₀, CD₅₄ expression. APS-DCs compared with Mo-DCs had a stronger T-cell activation activity. APS significantly extended the DCs survival time up to 2-3 days in vitro.CONCLUSION: APS could promote DCs maturation and extend the survival time of DCs, which may enhance the immunity.

Key words: APS, Dendritic cell, Maturation, Immunity