Crytotanshinone Induces the Maturation of Human Dendritic Cells through Activation of NF-kB, p38 and JNK MAPKs

Abstract

Abstract Danshen or Salvia miltiorrhiza Bunge is often used in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) for the treatment of a variety of diseases including cancer. Cryptotanshinone and tanshinone II are two major tanshinones isolated from the roots of Danshen. In this study, we found that cryptotanshinone, but not tanshinone II, possesses the capacity to induce maturation of human dendritic cells (DCs). Treatment of human monocyte-derived DCs with cryptotanshinone upregulated DC surface expression of costimulatory molecules (CD80, CD86) and HLA-DR, as well as DC production of proinflammatory cytokines. In addition, DCs treated with cryptotanshinone acquired the capacity to migrate in response to CCL21/SLC, suggesting the upregulation of CCR7. Cryptotanshinone treatment reduced the level of I-kBa in DCs, indicative of NF-kB activation. Cryptotanshinone also increased the levels of phosphorylated p38 and JNK mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs), but not phosphorylated Erks. Thus, cryptotanshinone can induce the maturation of human DCs through activation of NF-kB, p38 and JNK MAPKs, and may have the capacity to promote adaptive immune responses.