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Ganoderma Lucidum Induces the Expression of CD40/CD86 on Peripheral Blood Monocytes
Kazem Ahmadi1, Majid Riazipour
1Research Center of Molecular Biology, Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. Kazahmadi@yahoo.com
Insights
Ganoderma lucidum enhances immune cell markers CD40 and CD80 in human monocytes. This effect is dose-dependent and more pronounced in cells from female donors, indicating potential sex-specific immunomodulatory responses.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Natural Products Research
Background:
- Ganoderma lucidum exhibits significant immunomodulatory effects, including T cell, macrophage, and NK cell activation.
- These effects involve the stimulation of cytokine production.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of Ganoderma lucidum on the expression of CD40 and CD80 in human peripheral blood mononuclear cells.
- To quantify the changes in CD40 and CD80 expression following G. lucidum treatment.
Main Methods:
- Human monocytes were isolated and cultured with varying concentrations of Ganoderma lucidum for 24 and 48 hours.
- Flow cytometry was employed to analyze the expression of CD14, CD40, and B7-1 (CD80) molecules using labeled monoclonal antibodies.
Main Results:
- Ganoderma lucidum significantly upregulated CD40 and CD80 expression in monocytes in a dose- and time-dependent manner.
- The enhancement of CD40 and CD80 expression was notably greater in cells from female donors compared to male donors.
Conclusions:
- Ganoderma lucidum effectively increases CD40 and CD80 expression on human monocytic cells.
- The immunomodulatory effect of G. lucidum on these molecules is dose-dependent and shows a sex-specific preference, with a stronger effect observed in females.
Background:
The major immuno-modulating effects of Ganoderma lucidum include mitogenicity and activation of immune effector cells such as T cells, macrophages and natural killer cells resulting in the production of cytokines.
Objective:
The purpose of this study was to evaluate the expression of CD40 and CD80 by G. lucidum-treated human peripheral blood mononuclear cells.
Methods:
Monocytes were isolated and incubated at 37 C and 5% CO2 for 24 h and 48 h in the presence or absence of different concentrations of G. lucidum. Cells were then incubated with labelled monoclonal antibodies against CD14, CD40 and B7-1(CD80) molecules utilizing standard protocols, and analyzed by flow cytometry.
Results:
The results showed that incubation of monocytes with G. lucidum led to marked enhancement of CD40 and B7-1 expression in a dose- and time- dependent manner (p<0.001). G. lucidum was more effective in enhancing the expression of CD80 and CD40 molecules of cells obtained from females than male donors (p<0.001).
Conclusion:
G. lucidum enhanced the expression of CD40 and CD80 molecules on peripheral blood monocytic cells derived from both sexes in a dose-dependent manner, with a preferential higher effect on cells obtained from female donors.

