Objective: To observe the changes of programmed death-1 ligand 1 (PD-L1) and PD-L2 expressions on mouse bone marrow-derived dendritic cells (DCs) stimulated by sunitinib.
Methods: DCs were randomly divided into four groups which were treated with sunitinib (100, 200, 300 ng/mL) and dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO), respectively. After 48 hours, PD-L1 and PD-L2 expression levels were analyzed by flow cytometry.
Results: Compared with the control group, the expression of PD-L1 on mature DCs (mDCs) and all DCs [including mature DCs and immature DCs (imDCs)] was significantly down-regulated in sunitinib treatment groups. The PD-L1 expression percentages of imDCs, mDCs and DCs were significantly reduced in sunitinib treatment groups; the percentage of mDCs expressing PD-L2 also dropped in all treatment groups, and the percentage of DCs expressing PD-L2 decreased in 100 and 300 ng/mL sunitinib treatment groups.
Conclusion: Sunitinib can significantly reduce the expressions of PD-L1 and PD-L2 on mouse DCs.