본 실험에서는 일부 한약재를 이용하여 수지상세포의 활성화에 미치는 영향을 알아보았다. 그 결과, 실험에 사용한 여섯 가지 한약재 중 선별된 천궁과 당귀는 수지상세포의 항원 제시 능력에 영향을 미쳐, T 세포 증식 반응을 증가시켰고, IL-2와 IFN-r의 분비를 증가시키는 것으로 나타났다. 또한 이러한 T 세포의 활성은 수지상세포의 세포표면 단백질인 MHC classII와 CD86, 그리고 CD11c의 발현 증가에 의한 것임을 확인 할 수 있었다. 이상의 실험 결과, 본 실험에서 선별된 천궁과 당귀는 수지상세포를 활성화시키는 효과가 있는 것으로 생각된다.
Dendritic cells (DCs) play a pivotal roles in the initiation of T cell-mediated immune responses, making them an attractive in immuno vaccines. Angelica gigas and Cnidium officinale were a medicinal herb widely used in Asian countries. In this study, we examined the effects of A. gigas and C. officinale extracts on the DCs functional maturation and phono-type. Immature DCs were cultured in the presence of GM-CSF and IL-4, and the generated immature DCs were stimulated with OVA in the presence or absence A. gigas and C. officinale extracts, respectively, for 24 hours. The antigen-presenting capacity of A. gigas and C. officinale extracts-treated DCs as analyzed by $CD4^+$ helper T cell clone (OVA-specific) proliferation and cytokines (IL-2 and $IFN-{gamma}$) production were significantly increased. But A. gigas and C. officinale extracts were not directly effected $CD4^+$ helper T cell clone function. Also, the expression of surface co-stimulatory molecules, including major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II, CD86 and CD11c, is increased on DCs that were stimulated with A. gigas and C. officinale extracts. These results indicate the immunomodulatory properties of A. gigas and C. officinale extracts, which might be medical supplies or health foods.
