To investigate the effect of different concentrations of Echinococcus multilocularis secretion antigen (Em - sAg)on the phenotype and function of mouse bone marrow - derived dendritic cells (BMDCs)induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Methods The bone marrow precursor cells isolated from the mouse bone marrow cavity were stimulated by mouse recombinant granulocyte - macrophage colony - stimulating factor (GM - CSF)to form BMDCs,and then cell morphology was observed under an inverted microscope. After the purity of BMDCs was identified by flow cytometry,BMDCs were divided into control group,positive control group (LPS 1 µg / ml),LPS + 3 mg / ml Em - sAg group,LPS + 1. 5 mg / ml Em - sAg group,LPS + 0. 75 mg / ml Em - sAg group,and LPS + 0. 375 mg / ml Em - sAg group. Flow cytometry was used to measure the expression of BMDC surface molecules (CD80,CD86,and MHC - ? molecules)in each group, and ELISA was used to measure the expression level of the cytokine IL - 12p70. A one - way analysis of variance was used for comparison of normally distributed continuous data between multiple groups,and the least significant difference t - test was used for further comparison between two groups. Results Observation under an inverted microscope showed that after 8 - 10 days of culture,the cells had burr - like protrusions and were in a state of complete suspension. Flow cytometry showed that the positive rate of CD11c was above 70% and most of the cultured cells were identified as BMDCs based on this. Flow cytometry further showed that compared with the control group,the LPS group had significant increases in the cell molecules CD80,CD86,and MHC - ? on surface (all P < 0. 05);compared with the LPS group,the LPS + 3 mg / ml Em - sAg group,the LPS + 1. 5 mg / ml Em - sAg group,the LPS + 0. 75 mg / ml Em - sAg group,and the LPS + 0. 375 mg / ml Em - sAg group had a significant reduction in CD80 (F = 34. 870,P < 0. 001),while there were no significant reductions in CD86 and MHC - ?(P > 0. 05). ELISA showed that there was a significant difference in the level of IL - 12 p70 between groups (F = 73. 140, P < 0. 05);compared with the control group,the LPS group had a significant increase in the expression level of IL - 12p70 after stimulation (P < 0. 05);compared with the positive control group,the LPS + 3 mg / ml Em - sAg group,the LPS + 1. 5 mg / ml Em - sAg group,the LPS + 0. 75 mg / ml Em - sAg group,and the LPS + 0. 375 mg / ml Em - sAg group had a significant reduction in the expression level of IL - 12p70 (P < 0. 05),and the degree of reduction in the pro - inflammatory factor IL - 12p70 increased with the increase in the concentration of Em - sAg. Conclusion Different concentrations of Em - sAg can inhibit LPS - induced maturity of BMDCs and the expression of the pro - inflammatory cytokine IL - 12p70. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]