Down-regulating effect of Artesunate on T lymphocytes' immunosuppression in human laryngocarcinoma cells in vitro

Objective To investigate the effects of Artesunate( ART) on T lymphocytesu0027 immunosuppression in human laryngocarcinoma cells in vitro. Methods The supernatants from Hep-2( human laryngocarcinoma cell line) were pretreated with ART( ART-S),then the supernatants cultured for the first time and the second time were collected( ART-S1 and ART-S2,respectively),and the corresponding supernatants and Hep-2 without ART treatment were served as control group. The effects of different supernatants on immune parameters in human peripheral blood mononuclear cells were analyzed,including the lymphocytes proliferation induced by phytohemagglutinin( PHA),which was detected by MTT and microscope observation,and expressions of CD3e +,CD3e + ζ + and IL-2Rα + were measured by flow cytometry( FCM). Results The inhibitory rates of five immune parameters caused by Hep-2 cells were 52. 58% ± 6. 13%,50. 34% ± 7. 26%,45. 28% ±5. 38%,39. 74% ± 5. 27%,64. 25% ± 9. 37%,respectively. After pretreated with ART,the inhibition effects caused by Hep-2were significantly decreased( P 0. 01). After the first culture,the reversing effect on the inhibition of lymphocytes transformation,induced proliferation and the expression of IL-2Rα + were significantly decreased in ART-S1 group,as compared with those in ART-S group( P 0. 01),and the reversing effects on the inhibition of CD3e + and CD3e + ζ +expressions were obviously kept,as compared with those in ART-S group( P 0. 05). After the second culture,there were no significant differences in,reversing effects on the inhibition of lymphocytes transformation,induced proliferation and the expression of IL-2Rα + between ART-S2 group and ART-S1 group( P 0. 05),nor were the reversing effects on the inhibition of CD3e + and CD3e + ζ + expressions between ART-S2 group and ART-S1 group( P 0. 05). Conclusion Human laryngocarcinoma Hep-2 cells have T lymphocytes immunosuppression effects. However Artesunate can steadily reverse the immunosuppression effects. Down-regulating tumor immunosuppression effect may be one of important anti-tumor action mechanisms of Artesunate.