Inhibitory effect of cepharanthine on dendritic cell activation and function

Dendritic cells (DCs) are specialized antigen presenting cells that connect innate and adaptive immunity. DCs are considered as a major target for controlling excessive immune responses. In this study, the effect of cepharanthine (CEP), a biscoclaurine alkaloid isolated from Stephania cepharantha Hayata, on murine DCs was examined in vitro. CEP inhibited antigen uptake by DCs at a concentration between 1 and 5 μg/ml. Although CEP did not inhibit the expression of costimulatory molecules and major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I in DCs, the compound inhibited lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced DC maturation determined by the expression of costimulatory molecules and MHC class I. In addition, CEP could reduce the production of interleukin-6 and tumor necrosis factor-α in LPS-stimulated DCs. DCs treated with CEP were found to be a poor stimulator of allogeneic T cell proliferation and interferon-γ production from the cells. These results suggest that CEP may have great potential as an immunoregulatory agent against various autoimmune diseases and allergy.