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Updated: May 10, 2026
08:31
Characterization of Human Monocyte-derived Dendritic Cells by Imaging Flow Cytometry: A Comparison between Two Monocyte Isolation Protocols
Published on: October 18, 2016
Dextromethorphan inhibits activations and functions in dendritic cells
Der-Yuan Chen1, Pei-Shan Song, Jau-Shyong Hong
1Institute of Biomedical Science, National Chung-Hsing University, Taichung 402, Taiwan.
Clinical & Developmental Immunology
|June 20, 2013
Summary
Dextromethorphan (DXM) suppresses dendritic cell (DC) activation and function. This common cough medicine reduces inflammatory responses and T-cell activation, suggesting potential therapeutic uses for DC-related diseases.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Dendritic cells (DCs) are crucial for linking innate and adaptive immunity.
- DCs are key targets for developing immunomodulatory drugs.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effects of dextromethorphan (DXM) on dendritic cell (DC) activation and function.
- To explore DXM's potential as an immunomodulator for DC-related diseases.
Main Methods:
- Murine bone marrow-derived dendritic cells (BMDCs) and human monocyte-derived dendritic cells (MDDCs) were treated with DXM and lipopolysaccharide (LPS).
- Assays included measuring costimulatory molecule expression, reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, cytokine and chemokine secretion, T-cell activation, and signaling pathway activation (MAPK, NF-κB).
Main Results:
- DXM significantly suppressed LPS-induced expression of costimulatory molecules (CD80, CD83, HLA-DR) on both BMDCs and MDDCs.
- DXM reduced ROS, proinflammatory cytokines (IL-6, IL-12), and chemokines in maturing DCs.
- DXM inhibited LPS-induced T-cell proliferation and IFN-γ secretion, and suppressed MAPK activation and NF-κB translocation.
Conclusions:
- DXM demonstrates potent immunomodulatory effects on dendritic cells.
- DXM's ability to suppress DC activation and function suggests its potential therapeutic application in treating acute and chronic DC-related inflammatory diseases.
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