특이적 면역반응을 유도하는 전문 항원제시세포인 수지상세포의 분화와 항원제시기능에 미치는 HemoHIM의 면역기능 증강 효과에 대해 알아보았다. HemoHIM은 수지상세포의 분화/증식 과정에 첨가하였을 경우에 공동자극 분자인 CD40, CD86 분자의 세포 표면 발현량을 증가시키는 것으로 나타났다. 이 수지상세포는 동종항원 반응 T세포를 활성화시켜 IL-2, $IFN-gamma$ 분비량과 증식반응을 유의하게 증가시켰다. 그리고 HemoHIM을 처리한 수지상세포는 대조군에 비해 OVA항원을 T세포주에 충분히 전달하여 IL-2와 $IFN-gamma$의 분비량을 유의하게 증가시켰을 뿐만 아니라 T세포주의 증식반응도 유의하게 증가시켰다. 따라서 HemoHIM은 생체 내의 특이적 면역반응을 유도하는 수지상세포의 기능을 강화하는 면역기능 조절제로서 사용이 가능할 것으로 생각된다.
In our previous study, a novel herb mixture (HIM-I) of Angelica gigas radix, Cnidium officinale rhizoma, and Paeonia japonica radix was developed to protect= the intestinal and immune systems and to promote their recovery from radiation damage. A new herbal composition (HemoHIM) with the high immune modulating activity was developed from HIM-I. In the present study, we examined the effects of HemoHIM on the maturation process of murine bone marrow (BM)-derived dendritic cells (DC). BM cells were cultured in the presence of iL-4 and GM-CSF and the generated immature DC were stimulated with HemoHIM for 24 hours. HemoHIM significantly enhanced the expression of co-stimulatory molecules, CD80 and CD86, especially. The activation capacity of HemoHIM-treated DC was significantly higher than that of immature DC, as analyzed by IL-2 and $IFN-gamma$ production and proliferation of the responding T cells in the co-culture with allogeneic T cells. The antigen-presenting capacity of HemoHIN-treated DC was also increased by the co-culture with OVA-specific T cells (HS-1), as analyzed by IL-2 and $IFN-gamma$ production and the proliferation. These results indicate that HemoHIM causes the maturation and ;Activation of DC, which may be a part of mechanisms of immunomodulation by HemoHIM.
