Production of lipopolysaccharide-induced tumour necrosis factor during influenza virus infection in mice coincides with viral replication and respiratory oxidative burst

Alleviation of experimental septic shock in mice by acidic polysaccharide isolated from the medicinal mushroom Phellinus linteus

This study reports that acidic polysaccharide (PL) isolated from Phellinus linteus alleviated the septic shock induced by high dose lipopolysaccharide (LPS) injection in mice. To examine the origin of this effect, we investigated cytokine production in serum and the expression of MHC II in B cells and macrophages in areas of inflammation. Pretreatment with PL 24 h before LPS administration resulted in a significant inhibition of up to 68% of circulating tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha, a moderate reduction of 45% of interleukine (IL)-12 and 23% of IL-1beta, but no significant reduction in IL-6. In addition, the expression of MHC II in B cells and macrophages was examined. Our results show that LPS-stimulated cytokine release and the level of MHC II can be modulated by in vivo administration of soluble PL in mice. The decrease of IL-1beta, IL-12 and TNF-alpha in sera and the down-modulation of MHC II during septic shock may contribute to the long survival of mice by PL. Administration of PL in vivo decreases IL-2, IFN-gamma and TNF-alpha production in splencotyes and enhances spontaneous cell apoptosis in macrophages and lymphocytes stimulated with LPS in vitro. Thus, part of the anti-inflammatory effects of PL treatment in vivo may result from the enhanced apoptosis of a portion of the activated macrophages and lymphocytes. The ability of PL to significantly reduce the TNF-alpha production indicates the potential of the polysaccharides in possible therapeutic strategies that are based on down-regulation of TNF-alpha.

Down-regulation of tumor necrosis factor-alpha, moderate reduction of interleukin-1beta, but not interleukin-6 or interleukin-10, by glucan immunomodulators curdlan sulfate and lentinan

The effects of glucan-based immunomodulators curdlan sulfate (CRDS) and lentinan on cytokine production stimulated by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG)-primed mice were investigated. Pretreatment with CRDS or lentinan before LPS administration induced a striking inhibition of up to 89% of circulating tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF), a moderate reduction of 25% of interleukin (IL)-1beta, no significant differences in IL-6 or IL-10 levels, and a marked depression of chemiluminescence activity. Animals receiving CRDS prior to infection with alpha-hemolysin positive Escherichia coli inhibited measurable TNF production by 63%. The ability of CRDS and lentinan to significantly reduce the TNF production in vivo indicates the potential of glucans in possible therapeutic strategies that are based on down-regulation of TNF.