Activation of the alternative complement pathway by Agaricus blazei Murill

Area of Science:

• Immunology
• Mycology

Background:

• Agaricus blazei Murill exhibits immunopotentiating properties.
• The complement system plays a crucial role in innate immunity.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the effect of Agaricus blazei Murill on the human complement system.
• To assess the anti-tumor activity of complement-opsonized Agaricus blazei Murill particles.

Main Methods:

• Mechanical disruption of Agaricus blazei Murill to create fine particles (ABP).
• In vitro assays using human serum to study complement activation via the alternative pathway.
• Immunofluorescence to detect complement-opsonized particles and their binding to monocytes.
• Co-incubation of human peripheral blood cells with opsonized particles and tumor cells (TPC-1).

Main Results:

• ABP activated the human complement system through the alternative pathway in a time- and dose-dependent manner.
• Complement-opsonized Agaricus blazei Murill particles (iC3b-ABP-F) bound to human peripheral blood monocytes.
• Human peripheral nucleated cells incubated with iC3b-ABP-F complexes inhibited the proliferation of TPC-1 tumor cells in vitro.

Conclusions:

• Agaricus blazei Murill particles effectively activate the alternative pathway of the human complement system.
• Complement-opsonized Agaricus blazei Murill particles demonstrate anti-tumor effects by inhibiting tumor cell proliferation.
• This study highlights the potential of Agaricus blazei Murill in modulating immune responses and its anti-cancer properties.