INDUCTION OF IMMUNOMODULATING CYTOKINES BY A NEW POLYSACCHARIDE-PEPTIDE COMPLEX FROM CULTURE MYCELIA OF LENTINUS-EDODES

The immunomodulating effect of a new polysaccharide-peptide complex fr om culture mycelia of Lentinus edodes (LE) was studied for elucidation of the mechanism of augmentation of cell-mediated immunity. RNA sampl es were isolated from the untreated and treated murine splenocytes and human peripheral blood mononuclear cells. RT-PCR was used to analyze the cytokine gene expression and bioassay was used to analyze the cyto kine production. By administration of LE, the expression levels of IL- 2 and TNF-alpha genes were augmented in the treated murine spleen mono nuclear cells and human peripheral blood mononuclear cells. The produc tion of IL-2 were augmented in the treated murine spleen mononuclear c ells, and the production of TNF-alpha were augmented in the treated mu rine peritoneal exudate macrophages. The production of IL2 and TNF-alp ha were augmented in the treated human peripheral blood mononuclear ce lls. These results suggest that LE may induce Th immune responses. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.