Medicinal Plant Research 2025, Vol.15, No.4, 178-187 http://hortherbpublisher.com/index.php/mpr 181 ASPs also can promote the maturation of dendritic cells (DCS), and this effect is manifested by the increased expression of major histocompatibility complex class II molecules (MHCII) and CD86, which are crucial for effective antigen presentation (Gu et al., 2019). Mature DCS can better activate T cells and initiate adaptive immune responses, demonstrating the potential of ASPs as immune enhancers and even vaccine adjuvants. If ASPs are encapsulated in a nanoparticle delivery system, their ability to activate antigen-presenting cells and enhance immune responses is stronger. 4.2 Influence on adaptive immunity ASPs regulate adaptive immunity by promoting the proliferation of total spleen cells and T cells, manifested as an increase in the proportion of CD4+ T cells, and a slight decrease in the proportion of CD8+ T cells. Meanwhile, ASPs upregulates TH1-type cytokines (IL-2, IFN-γ), and downregulates Th2-type cytokines (IL-4), suggesting that it can promote Th1-dominant immune response, and thereby improve immune balance (Wang et al., 2020b) (Figure 1). In tumor models, ASPs have been found to restore the Th1/Th2 balance in the tumor microenvironment, further verifying their immunotherapeutic potential (Wang et al., 2020b; Zhang et al., 2021). In terms of B cells, ASPs can promote the recovery of pre-B cells (pro-B) and early B cells (pre-B) in the bone marrow, increase the number of B cells in the spleen and periphery, and enhance the production of immunoglobulins (Xiao et al., 2023). These effects are achieved, by promoting the production of IL-7 and activating the IL-7R signaling pathway, which is crucial for the survival and differentiation of B cells. In some studies, ASPs have also been reported, to be able to suppress excessive humoral immunity, suggesting that they have regulatory functions and can help prevent the occurrence of autoimmune reactions. Figure 1 Proposed schematic diagram of AP-PP-DOX (Angelica polysaccharide-peptide-doxorubicin) nanoparticles for antitumor drug delivery (Adopted from Wang et al., 2020b)
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