Matrine regulates immune functions to inhibit the proliferation of leukemic cells.

Aims: To investigate the roles of matrine in regulating immune functions and its effect on the proliferation of leukemic cells.

Methods: Human leukemia K562, OUN-1, HL-60, U937, K562/AO2 cell lines and primary leukemic cells were used to detect the NKG2D ligands (NKG2DL) expression such as MICA/B, ULBP-1, ULBP-2, ULBP-3, and NK cells receptor NKG2D, CD158a, CD158b were detected by flow cytometry. Cell cytotoxic activity of human NK cells and CIK cells against K562 leukemia cells was detected using CFSE/PI double staining.