[Effect of astragalus polysaccharide on the function and maturation of plasmacytoid dendritic cells from chronic myelogenous leukemia before and after treatment].

OBJECTIVE

To explore the effect of astragalus polysaccharide (APS) on the function and maturation of chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC)-derived plasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDCs).

METHODS

CML-derived pDCs were sorted by flow cytometry, and then incubated with APS (at 0, 50, 100 and 200 mg/L). After 24 hours, the concentrations of IFN-α, IL-6, TNF-α were detected with ELISA. Five days later, the cultured cells were collected and analyzed for immotype, morphology and ultramicrostructure.

RESULTS

The level of IFN-α, IL-6, TNF-α was significantly higher in samples from CML remission group than that in untreated pDCs, and newly diagnosed pDC (P < 0.05) or untreated group. APS could promote more pDCs differentiating to dendritic cells (DCs) in CML remission group than in untreated-pDCs in a dose-dependant manner (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

APS can enhance the immune function of pDCs, promote differentiation and maturation of pDCs from CML patients.