Extracellular polysaccharides produced by <it>Ganoderma formosanum</it> stimulate macrophage activation via multiple pattern-recognition receptors

• Main Authors: Wang Cheng-Li (Author), Lu Chiu-Ying (Author), Pi Chia-Chen (Author), Zhuang Yu-Jing (Author), Chu Ching-Liang (Author), Liu Wen-Hsiung (Author), Chen Chun-Jen (Author)
• Format: Book
• Published: BMC, 2012-08-01T00:00:00Z.
• Subjects: article
• Online Access: Connect to this object online.

Summary

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The fungus of <it>Ganoderma</it> is a traditional medicine in Asia with a variety of pharmacological functions including anti-cancer activities. We have purified an extracellular heteropolysaccharide fraction, PS-F2, from the submerged mycelia culture of <it>G. formosanum</it> and shown that PS-F2 exhibits immunostimulatory activities. In this study, we investigated the molecular mechanisms of immunostimulation by PS-F2.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>PS-F2-stimulated TNF-α production in macrophages was significantly reduced in the presence of blocking antibodies for Dectin-1 and complement receptor 3 (CR3), laminarin, or piceatannol (a spleen tyrosine kinase inhibitor), suggesting that PS-F2 recognition by macrophages is mediated by Dectin-1 and CR3 receptors. In addition, the stimulatory effect of PS-F2 was attenuated in the bone marrow-derived macrophages from C3H/HeJ mice which lack functional Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4). PS-F2 stimulation triggered the phosphorylation of mitogen-activated protein kinases JNK, p38, and ERK, as well as the nuclear translocation of NF-κB, which all played essential roles in activating TNF-α expression.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Our results indicate that the extracellular polysaccharides produced by <it>G. formosanum</it> stimulate macrophages via the engagement of multiple pattern-recognition receptors including Dectin-1, CR3 and TLR4, resulting in the activation of Syk, JNK, p38, ERK, and NK-κB and the production of TNF-α.</p>

Item Description

10.1186/1472-6882-12-119
1472-6882