ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: To investigate the proliferation and cytokine expression of Auricularia auricula polysaccharide (AAP) on peripheral blood monnuclear cells (PBMCs) in vitro. METHODS: AAP was obtained by water extraction and alcohol precipitation, and purified by DEAE-cellulose chromatogram. PBMCs were treated with AAP at different levels. The Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8) was used to determine the proliferation of PBMCs. The concentration of TNF-alpha and TFN-gamma in supernatant were investigated by ELISA. RESULTS: The three fractions of AAP could stimulate PBMCs proliferation at the range of 100--800 microg/ml, and AAP2 enhanced significantly the level of TNF-alpha and IFN-gamma in supernatant of PBMCs (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: AAP is an immunomodulator and can enhance the immunomodulatory activity through TNF-alpha and TFN-gamma.
