Abstract:

Objective    To explore the mechanism of PESV(polypeptide extract from scorpion venom) on promotion of dendritic cells maturation in the tumor microenvironment. Methods    Lewis lung cancer models were established by subcutaneously implanting Lewis lung cells into C57BL/6mice. The tumor-bearing mice were randomly divided into 3 groups: the control group, the chemotherapy group (treated with CTX ) and the experimental group (treated with PESV between courses of chemotherapy ). There were 8 mice in each group. PESV was intrinsically injected for 21 days in the experimental group. Then,  the volume of tumors was evaluated every two days, and the tumor growth curve was recorded. Flow cytometry (FCM) was applied to detect expression of CD80 and CD83 in dendritic cells. VEGF and TGF-β1 were determined by imunohistochemical assay and RT-PCR. Results    After 21 days treatment of PESV and chemotherapy, tumor growth was inhibited in the experimental group. Compared with the control, the number of TIDC and expression of CD80 increased, but expression of  VEGF and TGF-β1was down-regulated. Conclusions     PESV can promote dendritic cells maturation through inhibition of VEGF and TGF-β1 expression in the tumor microenvironment during the interval of chemotherapy.

Key words: Polypeptide from scorpion venom; Tumor infiltration dendritic cell;  Vascular endothelial growth factor; Transforming growth facto -β;  Lewis lung cancer; Models,animal;Mice