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Stimulation of humoral and cell mediated immunity by polysaccharide from mushroom Phellinus linteus
Insights
Phellinus linteus (PL) polysaccharide enhances multiple immune functions in mice, including T lymphocyte, natural killer cell, macrophage, and B cell responses. This mushroom-derived compound shows broader immunostimulatory and antitumor potential than other polysaccharides.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Pharmacology
- Mycology
Background:
- Phellinus linteus (PL) is a medicinal mushroom known for its potential health benefits.
- Polysaccharides are complex carbohydrates with diverse biological activities, including immunomodulation.
- Understanding the specific immune-enhancing properties of PL polysaccharides is crucial for therapeutic applications.
Purpose of the Study:
- To purify polysaccharide from Phellinus linteus (PL) mycelial culture.
- To investigate the effects of PL polysaccharide on the immunocompetence of normal splenocytes in vitro and in vivo.
- To compare the immunostimulatory range of PL polysaccharide with other known polysaccharides.
Main Methods:
- Purification of polysaccharide from Phellinus linteus mycelial culture.
- In vitro assays using mouse spleen lymphocytes, including mixed lymphocyte reaction and assessment of cytotoxic T cells.
- In vivo and in vitro studies on natural killer cell and macrophage functions.
- Evaluation of humoral immune responses, including T-dependent and T-independent antibody production and B cell activation.
Main Results:
- PL polysaccharide significantly enhanced overall in vitro immune function of mouse spleen lymphocytes.
- PL stimulated T lymphocyte-mediated immunity, including proliferation and cytotoxic T cell activity.
- Nonspecific immune functions involving natural killer cells and macrophages were increased by PL treatment.
- PL positively modulated humoral immunity, acting as a polyclonal activator for B cells.
- PL demonstrated a broader spectrum of immunostimulation and antitumor activity compared to other Basidiomycetes polysaccharides.
Conclusions:
- Phellinus linteus (PL) polysaccharide possesses broad-spectrum immunostimulatory effects.
- PL enhances cellular and humoral immune responses, acting on T cells, B cells, NK cells, and macrophages.
- The findings suggest PL polysaccharide has significant potential for immunomodulation and as an antitumor agent.
Abstract:
Polysaccharide was purified from mycelial culture of Phellinus linteus (PL) and its effect on immunocompetence of normal splenocytes was observed. Overall in vitro immune function was enhanced by addition of PL into culture of mouse spleen lymphocyte and i.p. injection into mouse, while beta-glucans and other polysaccharides only raised the level of T lymphocyte-mediated immunity. PL stimulated immune functions of T lymphocytes, such as proliferation of T lymphocyte induced by mixed lymphocytes reaction and cytotoxicity of cytotoxic T cells responding to alloantigen. Nonspecific immune functions mediated by natural killer cells and macrophages were increased by treatment of PL in vivo and in vitro. PL also stimulated humoral immune function positively, such as T-dependent and T-independent primary antibody response, and acted as a polyclonal activator on B cell. PL exhibited a wider range of immunostimulation and antitumor activity than other polysaccharides isolated from Basidiomycetes.