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White Button Mushroom (Agaricus bisporus) Interrupts Tissue AR-TMPRSS2 Expression and Attenuates Pro-inflammatory
Shiuan Chen1, Xiaoqiang Wang1, Desiree Ha1
1Beckman Research Institute, City of Hope.
Abstract:
Transmembrane protease serine 2 (TMPRSS2), an androgen-induced protease associated with prostate cancer, is one putative receptor for coronavirus entry into host cells, where triggering aggressive inflammatory cytokine storm and possibly death in COVID-19 patients. We previously reported that dietary white button mushroom (WBM) antagonized dihydrotestosterone (DHT)-induced androgen receptor (AR) activation and reduced myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) in prostate cancer animal models and patients. The present study on C57BL/6 mice revealed that WBM is a unique food that A ) interrupts DHT induced AR-TMPRSS2 expression in putative COVID-19 targeted organs through its AR antagonistic activity and B ) attenuates serum pro-inflammatory cytokines which have been implicated in COVID-19 pathogenesis. We hereby propose WBM intake as a potentially low-cost, efficient, and safe dietary intervention to mitigate COVID-19.
Insights
Dietary white button mushroom (WBM) interrupts the expression of TMPRSS2, a key protein for coronavirus entry, and reduces inflammatory cytokines. This suggests WBM as a potential dietary intervention for COVID-19.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Immunology
- Oncology
Background:
- Transmembrane protease serine 2 (TMPRSS2) is implicated in severe COVID-19 by facilitating viral entry.
- Androgen receptor (AR) signaling, particularly dihydrotestosterone (DHT)-induced activation, is linked to TMPRSS2 expression and prostate cancer.
- Dietary white button mushroom (WBM) has previously shown potential in modulating AR activation and immune cells in prostate cancer models.
Approach:
- Investigated the effect of WBM on DHT-induced AR-TMPRSS2 expression in relevant organs in C57BL/6 mice.
- Assessed the impact of WBM on serum pro-inflammatory cytokine levels in the mouse model.
- Utilized AR antagonistic activity of WBM as a mechanistic link.
Key Points:
- WBM consumption interrupted DHT-induced AR-TMPRSS2 expression in organs targeted by coronaviruses.
- WBM intake significantly attenuated serum levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines associated with COVID-19 pathogenesis.
- The AR antagonistic properties of WBM were identified as the mechanism for interrupting AR-TMPRSS2 expression.
Conclusions:
- White button mushrooms possess unique properties that can interfere with key pathways in COVID-19.
- WBM demonstrates potential as a safe, low-cost dietary intervention to mitigate COVID-19 severity.
- Further research into WBM as a complementary therapeutic strategy for COVID-19 is warranted.
