Immunomodulation of ADPs-1a and ADPs-3a on RAW264.7 cells through NF-κB/MAPK signaling pathway

ADPs-1a and ADPs-3a were two kinds of pure polysaccharide in Angelica dahurica. The immunomodulatory effects of ADPs-1a and ADPs-3a were assayed on phagocytosis, nitric oxide (NO) and cytokines of RAW264.7 cells, and the mechanism was investigated through NF-κB and MAPKs signaling pathway. RAW264.7 cells were stimulated by different concentrations of ADPs-1a and ADPs-3a with LPS (1 μg/mL) as positive control. The results showed that ADPs-1a and ADPs-3a could significantly enhance the phagocytic activity of RAW264.7 cells, and enhance the ability of RAW264.7 cells to release NO, TNF-α and IL-6 in a concentration-dependent manner. At the same time, ADPs-1a and ADPs-3a could significantly up-regulate the mRNA expression of iNOS, TNF-α, IL-6 and the phosphorylation level of p65, p38, ERK, JNK proteins. The immunomodulatory mechanism of ADPs-1a and ADPs-3a on macrophages was related to the up-regulation of phosphorylation of MAPKs and NF-kB.