Abstract:

Purpose: To study the effect of polysaccharides from Atractylodes macrocephala Koidz (AMP) on phenotypic
and functional maturation of dendritic cells (DCs). Methods: The expression of toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) was detected by
Western blotting and the phagocytosis and phenotypic maturation of DCs was determined by flow cytometry. Furthermore,
the production levels of IL-12 and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay
(ELISA) in DCs stimulated by different concentrations of AMP (25, 50, 100, and 200 μg/mL). Moreover, the role of TLR4
in regulating IL-12 and TNF-α production was examined. Results: The expression levels of the markers of maturation such
as HLA-DR, CD86, CD83 and CD80 were increased by AMP in a concentrate-dependent manner. Furthermore, AMP
increased the production of IL-12 and TNF-α, promoted the expression of TLR4, and reduced the phagocytosis of DCs.
Using TLR4 antibody, the presence of anti-TLR4 antibody markedly decreased IL-12 and TNF-α release. Conclusion: These
data suggest that TLR4 is involved in the maturation of DCs induced by AMP.

Key words: Atractylodes macrocephala Koidz, dendritic cells, Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4)