Objective To investigate the effect of Brucella abortus mutant strain S2308δrfbE on the maturation and immune response of mouse bone marrow-derived dendritic cells (BMDCs). Methods The expression of major histocompatibility complex I (MHC I), MHC II, CD40, CD86 were detected by flow cytometry; the secretion of cytokines tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α), interleukin 6 (IL-6), IL-10 was detected by ELISA in S2308δrfbE-infected mouse BMDCs. Results The number of cells expressing MHC I, MHC II, CD40, CD86 and the secretion of cytokines TNF-α, IL-6 and IL-10 significantly increased in BMDCs infected with S2308δrfbE as compared with control groups. Conclusion S2308δrfbE promotes the maturation and enhances the inflammatory cytokines secretion in BMDCs.