Immunomodulatory activity of low molecular weight hyaluronan on macrophages and T lymphocytes from mice

Low molecular weight hyaluronan( LMWHA) were prepared from hyaluronan by using free radical degradation,and the immunostimulatory activities of LMWHA on macrophages and T lymphocytes were evaluated by using in vitro cell models and in vivo animal experiments.The effect of LMWHA on the delayed type hypersensitivity response( DTH) induced by DNFB,serum hemolysin activity,thymus and spleen indexes from immunosuppressed mice were detected.The LMWHA( 20~120 mg / kg·d) could induce DTH and increase the level of serum lysozyme and the indices of thymus and spleen in a dose- dependent manner. Furthermore,LMWHA( 25~200 μg /m L) could promote the proliferation of splenocytes,strengthen the phagocytic activity and induce the increase of nitric oxide( NO) production and the activity of nitric oxide synthase( i NOS) in mouse peritoneal macrophages.The results showed that LMWHA could regulate the immune function of mice.