Effect of Angelica sinensis polysaccharide fraction AP-3 on IL-2 and IFN-γ induction

AimTo investigate the effects of Angelica sinensis polysaccharide fraction AP-3 on IL-2 and IFN-γ induction and its further immunomodulatory feature. MethodsThe percentage of CD4⁺ lymphocyte was detected by flow cytometric method, the production of IL-2 and IFN-γ in cell culture supernatant were determined by ELISA, mRNA expressions of IL-2 and IFN-γ cytokines were detected by RT-PCR. ResultsAt the range of 0.6-2 μmol·L^-1, AP-3 significantly enhanced the percentage of CD4⁺ lymphocytes in total splenocytes. At the range of 2-6 μmol·L^-1, the treatment of AP-3 augmented both productions of IL-2 in cell culture supernatant and cell IL-2 mRNA transcription level in a time and dose dependent manner. While in the case of IFN-γ, AP-3 stimulated at early time after exposure but down-regulated thereafter. ConclusionAngelica sinensis polysaccharide could regulate the immune response through upregulating IL-2, IFN-γ expression and activating Th1 cell.