Immunomodulatory activity of the seeds of Plantago asiatica L.
BACKGROUND
The seeds of Plantago asiatica L. were often used as a traditional Chinese medicine for some immunologically weak patients suffering from chronic illness. These uses could be related to immunomodulatory properties of the plant.


OBJECTIVE
In this study, effects of extract of the seeds of Plantago asiatica L. (ES-PL) were investigated on the maturation of dendritic cells (DCs), which play significant role in primary immune system.


METHODS
The phenotypes of DCs were analyzed by using flow cytometry while phagocytosis was assessed by the uptake of FITC-dextran. Antigen presenting ability to allogeneically naïve or syngeneically primed T lymphocytes was examined by the lymphocyte proliferation of mixed lymphocyte reaction (MLR). In addition, the level of chemokine receptor CCR7 mRNA was determined by RT-PCR.


RESULTS
DCs treated with ES-PL expressed higher levels of MHC class II molecules and major costimulatory molecules such as CD80 and CD86. Functional maturation of DCs treated with ES-PL was confirmed by decreased mannose receptor-mediated endocytosis and increased antigen presenting abilities to allogeneically naïve or syngeneically primed T lymphocytes. The CCR7 mRNA expression in DCs treated with ES-PL was also enhanced.


CONCLUSIONS
These results indicated that ES-PL could induce the maturation of murine DCs.
Huang
Dan-Fei
DF
State Key Laboratory of Food Science and Technology, Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi 330047, China.
Xie
Ming-Yong
MY
Yin
Jun-Yi
JY
Nie
Shao-Ping
SP
Tang
Yong-Fu
YF
Xie
Xiao-Mei
XM
Zhou
Chao
C
D000818:Animals; D000938:Antigen-Presenting Cells / Q000187:drug effects; D001854:Bone Marrow Cells / Q000187:drug effects; D003713:Dendritic Cells / Q000187:drug effects; D015536:Down-Regulation; D004705:Endocytosis / Q000187:drug effects; D005260:Female; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D015870:Gene Expression / Q000187:drug effects; D005802:Genes, MHC Class II / Q000235:genetics; D007155:Immunologic Factors / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*; D037181:Lectins, C-Type / Q000187:drug effects; D007959:Lymphocyte Culture Test, Mixed; D000090323:Mannose Receptor; D037241:Mannose-Binding Lectins / Q000187:drug effects; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D010047:Ovalbumin / Q000276:immunology; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000494:pharmacology; D010943:Plantago / Q000737:chemistry*; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics; D054400:Receptors, CCR7 / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics; D011956:Receptors, Cell Surface / Q000187:drug effects; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction; D012639:Seeds / Q000737:chemistry; D013268:Stimulation, Chemical
C515371:Ccr7 protein, mouse; D007155:Immunologic Factors; D037181:Lectins, C-Type; D000090323:Mannose Receptor; D037241:Mannose-Binding Lectins; D010936:Plant Extracts; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D054400:Receptors, CCR7; D011956:Receptors, Cell Surface; D010047:Ovalbumin