Role of Rheum Polysaccharide in the Cytokines Produced by Peripheral Blood Monocytes in TLR4 Mediated HLA-B27 Associated AAU

Purpose. To evaluate the effect of a traditional Chinese medicine, Rheum Polysaccharide (RP), on the in vitro production of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) and interleukin-10 (IL-10) by lipopolysaccharide- (LPS-)stimulated human monocytes from HLA-B27 associated acute anterior uveitis patients of convalescence stage. Method. PBMC samples were isolated from 10 HLA-B27 associated acute anterior uveitis, incubated, respectively, and divided into 4 groups as follows: (1) controls, PBS was added in final concentration of 1 mg·L(−1), (2) stimulated by LPS, LPS was added in final concentration of 1 mg·L(−1), (3) stimulated by LPS + HTA125, 30 minutes before the adding of LPS in final concentration of 1 mg·L(−1), the final concentration of 5 mg·L(−1) of the HTA125 was added, and (4) stimulated by LPS + RP, 30 minutes before the adding of LPS in final concentration 1 mg·L(−1), the final concentration 100 mg·L(−1) of the RP was added. Supernatants were used to quantify the amounts of TNF-α and IL-10 released in time course using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Result. After stimulated by lps, the concentrations of TNF-α and IL-10 in culture supernatants of patients are significantly higher than control group at all time points (P < 0.01). Blockage of TLR-4 by HTA125 can decrease the production of TNF-α and IL-10 compared with lps group (P < 0.01, except at 4 h group of IL-10). Concentration of TNF-α and IL-10 also decreases in the LPS + RP group (P < 0.01) but not so significantly as in the LPS + HTA125 group. Conclusion. As anti-TLR4 monoclonal antibodies, rheum Polysaccharide can also inhibit the secretion of cytokines produced by monocytes from HLA-B27 positive AAU patients of convalescence stage.