Polysaccharopeptide mimics ciclosporin-mediated Th1/Th2 cytokine balance for suppression of activated human T cell proliferation by MAPKp38 and STAT5 pathways

The mycelium of the Trametes versicolor synn. Coriolus versicolor (Turkey tail mushroom) exhibit anti-melanoma activity in vitro

Melanoma is one of the most aggressive forms of skin cancer and is characterized by high metastatic potential. Despite improvements in early diagnosis and treatment, the mortality rate among metastatic melanoma patients continues to represent a significant clinical challenge. Therefore, it is imperative that we search for new forms of treatment. Trametes versicolor is a mushroom commonly used in Chinese traditional medicine due to its numerous beneficial properties. In the present work, we demonstrate T. versicolor fruiting body and mycelium ethanol extracts exhibit potent cytotoxic activity towards A375 (IC₅₀ = 663.3 and 114.5 µg/mL respectively) and SK-MEL-5 (IC₅₀ = 358.4 and 88.6 µg/mL respectively) human melanoma cell lines. Further studies revealed that T. versicolor mycelium extract induced apoptotic cell death and poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase cleavage, upregulated the expression of autophagy-associated marker LC3-II, increased the presentation of major histocompatibility complex II and expression of programmed death-ligand receptor, and inhibited cell migration in SK-MEL-5 cells. Therefore, our present findings highlight the therapeutic potential of T. versicolor mycelium extract for the treatment of melanoma and merit further study.

Isolation and immune activity of a new acidic Cordyceps militaris exopolysaccharide

A new type of acidic exopolysaccharide (AESP-II) was extracted and separated from the fermentation broth of Cordyceps militaris (C. militaris), which was further purified to elucidate its structural characteristics and immunological activity. AESP-II was confirmed to be an acidic pyranose with a molecular weight of 61.52 kDa, which consisted of mannose, glucuronic acid, rhamnose, galactose acid, N-acetyl-galactosamine, glucose, galactose and arabinose with a molar ratio of 1.07: 5.38: 1: 3.14: 2.23: 15: 6.09: and 4.04. Animal experiment results verified that AESP-II can significantly promote the proliferation of spleen T and B lymphocytes in mice with immune injury caused by cyclophosphamide (CTX). In particular, the promotion of B lymphocytes presented a dose-effect relationship. In addition, the levels of the cytokines IL-2, IL-4, and IFN-γ, which are mainly secreted by T lymphocytes, and immunoglobulin IgG, IgM and IgA, which are mainly secreted by B lymphocytes, were increased after AESP-II treatment. The above results suggest that fluid immunity is involved in the immunomodulatory function of AESP-II. Simultaneously, AESP-II was detected significantly to promote the phosphorylation expression of p38 kinase (p38), extracellular regulated protein kinases (ERK) and c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) by Western blot, further suggesting that the activation of the MAPK signaling pathway mediates the immunoregulatory function of AESP-II.

Extract from the Coriolus versicolor Fungus as an Anti-Inflammatory Agent with Cytotoxic Properties against Endothelial Cells and Breast Cancer Cells

Chronic inflammation is a well-recognised tumour-enabling component, which includes bioactive molecules from cells infiltrating the tumour microenvironment and increases the risk of cancer progression. Since long-term use of the currently available anti-inflammatory drugs used in cancer therapy causes numerous side effects, the aim of this study was to investigate the effect of an extract isolated from the Coriolus versicolor fungus (CV extract) on HUVEC endothelial cells and MCF-7 breast cancer cells in a pro-inflammatory microenvironment mimicked by lipopolysaccharide (LPS). The cells were simultaneously stimulated with the LPS and CV extract. After co-treatment, the cell viability, generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), wound-healing assay, production of the pro-inflammatory and pro-angiogenic factors (interleukin (IL) 6, IL-8, and metalloproteinase (MMP) 9)), as well as expression of Toll-like receptor (TLR) 4 and phosphorylated IκB (p-IκB) were evaluated. The results showed that the CV extract inhibited IL-6, IL-8, and MMP-9 production by the LPS-stimulated cells. This effect was accompanied by a decrease in TLR4 and p-IκB expression. The CV extract also had anti-migratory properties and induced a cytotoxic effect on the cells that was enhanced in the presence of LPS. The observed cytotoxicity was associated with an increase in ROS generation. We conclude that the CV extract possesses cytotoxic activity against cancer cells and endothelial cells and has the ability to inhibit the expression of the pro-tumorigenic factors associated with inflammation.

Trametes versicolor (Synn. Coriolus versicolor) Polysaccharides in Cancer Therapy: Targets and Efficacy

Coriolus versicolor (L.) Quél. is a higher fungi or mushroom which is now known by its accepted scientific name as Trametes versicolor (L.) Lloyd (family Polyporaceae). The polysaccharides, primarily two commercial products from China and Japan as PSP and PSK, respectively, have been claimed to serve as adjuvant therapy for cancer. In this paper, research advances in this field, including direct cytotoxicity in cancer cells and immunostimulatory effects, are scrutinised at three levels: in vitro, in vivo and clinical outcomes. The level of activity in the various cancers, key targets (both in cancer and immune cells) and pharmacological efficacies are discussed.

Extract from Coriolus versicolor fungus partially prevents endotoxin tolerance development by maintaining febrile response and increasing IL-6 generation

Endotoxin tolerance is defined as a reduced endotoxin-induced fever following repeated injections of lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Clinical examples of endotoxin tolerance include sepsis or cystic fibrosis. This state is characterized by inhibition of pro-inflammatory cytokines production and decrease in nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) activation. Extract from Coriolus versicolor (CV) fungus is classified as a biological response modifier, which exhibits various biological activities, including immunopotentiating properties. The aim of study was to examine the effect of CV extract injection on body core temperature of Wistar rats during LPS-induced endotoxin tolerance. Body temperature was measured using biotelemetry. CV extract was injected intraperitoneally (100 mg kg^-1) 2 h prior to the first LPS peritoneal administration (50 μg/kg). Endotoxin tolerance was induced by three consecutive daily injections of LPS at the same dose. We also investigated the influence of CV extract pre-injection on the properties of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) isolated from LPS-treated rats in response to LPS stimulation ex vivo. PBMCs were isolated 2 h after the first LPS injection. After 24 h pre-incubation, the cells were stimulated with LPS (1 μg ml^-1) for 4 h. Our results revealed that CV extract partially prevents endotoxin tolerance through maintaining febrile response in rats following consecutive exposure to LPS. This state was accompanied by the ability of PBMCs isolated from rats injected with CV extract and LPS to release larger amounts of interleukin 6 and greater NF-κB activation in response to LPS stimulation ex vivo compared with the cells derived from rats injected only with LPS. Data also showed that CV extract augmented mitogenic effect of LPS on PBMCs and caused increase in reactive oxygen species generation. We concluded that CV extract, by a modifying effect on body temperature during endotoxin tolerance, can be consider as the immunostimulating agent, which prevents the non-specific refractoriness described in patients with sepsis or ischemia.

Coriolus versicolor polysaccharopeptide as an immunotherapeutic in China

Coriolus versicoloris is one of the well-known traditional medicinal mushrooms used in China for over 2000 years. Polysaccharopeptide (PSP) is identified as the major bioactive component, which can be obtained from the mycelium or fermentation broth of Coriolus versicolor. The polysaccharide content in PSP is ~60% and the peptide content in PSP is ~10-30%. The main monosaccharides found in PSP include glucose, mannose, and a small amount of galactose, xylose, and fucose. β-Glucan is one of the identified components in PSP with the established immunomodulatory function. PSP was approved by the authority and has been used clinically in Japan and China since 1970s. PSP is helpful in improving the survival and quality of life in patients suffering cancers, hepatopathy, hyperlipidemia, chronic bronchitis, and other complex diseases. In this article, the preclinical and clinical studies of PSP are summarized over the past 41 years based on a literature search covering the CNKI, VIP, and Wanfang databases. Current studies support PSP as an immunotherapeutic. PSP activates and enhances the function and recognition ability of immune cells, strengthens the phagocytosis of macrophages, increases the expressions of cytokines and chemokines such as tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukins (IL-1β and IL-6), histamine, and prostaglandin E, stimulates the filtration of both dendritic cells and T-cells into tumors, and ameliorates the adverse events associated with chemotherapy. In recent years, immunotherapy has been widely used in cancer treatment. However, to use PSP as an immunotherapeutic at world stage, further chemical, biochemical and pharmacological studies of PSP are needed.

Fever-range hyperthermia inhibits cells immune response to protein-bound polysaccharides derived from Coriolus versicolor extract

The aim of the study was to explore whether fever-range hyperthermia (FRH) might enhance the anticancer and immunoregulatory activities of protein-bound polysaccharides (PBP), a class of fungus derived immunomodifiers used in the cancer adjuvant therapy. Blood lymphocytes and breast cancer cells (MCF-7) were cultured at 39.5°C in humidified atmosphere containing 5% CO₂ for 2h. After rested at 37°C for 6h, the cells were treated with PBP extract at 100- and 300μg/ml concentration. After indicated time, the proliferative response was analyzed and cytokine mRNA expression assessment was performed by qRT-PCR. In animal model, the FRH was induced by placing rats in the Homeothermic Controller with heating blanket. Animals were heated until Tb reached 39.5°C (±0.2°C) and were maintained at this temperature for 30min. The protein-bound polysaccharides solution was injected i.p. at a dose of 100 mg/kg 6h post FRH. Twenty four hours after treatment, the blood was collected and cytokines expression analysis were performed. The results have shown that fever-range hyperthermia has an inhibitory effect on PBP extract-induced proliferative response of blood lymphocytes, as well as IL-1β and IL-6 mRNA expression. Moreover, the temperature of 39.5°C blocks PBP-induced cytotoxicity against MCF-7 cells, which correlates with significant reduction in TNF-α level. Combined treatment of rats (FRH+PBP) results in decrease of IL-1β, IL-6 and TNF-α mRNA expression in peripheral blood mononuclear cells compared to cells derived from rats treated with protein-bound polysaccharides extract alone. This study demonstrates that fever-range temperature inhibits immunostimulatory as well as anticancer effects mediated by protein-bound polysaccharides.

Polysaccharide peptides from Coriolus versicolor exert differential immunomodulatory effects on blood lymphocytes and breast cancer cell line MCF-7 in vitro

The protein-bound polysaccharides (PBP), isolated from Coriolus versicolor (CV) fungus, are considered as natural compounds with potential therapeutic applications. The immunopotentiating and antitumor activity of polysaccharopeptides has been previously examined, however similar findings could not be achieved. The source of PBP, variations in extraction process as well as environmental factors seems to affect the biological properties of these active CV components. Since further analysis are needed to draw more definite conclusion, the present study aimed to investigate the immunomodulatory properties of the PBP extract, isolated from commercially available capsules of C. versicolor. Our results revealed that the effect mediated by PBP extract depends on the target cells. We reported that the polysaccharopeptides induced a significant decrease in breast cancer MCF-7 cells growth, which was TNF-α-dependent phenomenon. Interestingly, the level of two others cytokines, IL-1β and IL-6 was not affected. On the other hand, in this study we noticed that protein-bound polysaccharides extracted from CV significantly augmented the proliferative response of blood lymphocytes in a time-dependent manner, which was associated with IL-6 and IL-1β mRNA upregulation. Moreover we found that the cells response to PBP stimuli might be inversely related to its concentration.

Immunomodulatory effects of polysaccharopeptide in immunosuppressed mice induced by cyclophosphamide

Polysaccharopeptide (PSP) is well known for its immunoregulatory effects. In the present study, the effect of PSP on white blood cell (WBC) count, T lymphocyte subsets, B lymphocytes, Th1/Th2 balance and negative immune regulators was investigated using an immunosuppressed mouse model. The results demonstrated that the WBC count and the absolute number of CD3+CD4+ T cells, CD3+CD8+ T cells and CD3‑CD19+ B cells in the peripheral blood were increased in PSP‑treated groups as compared with the cyclophosphamide (Cy) group. In addition, PSP reduced interleukin (IL)‑4 and GATA binding protein 3 (GATA‑3) mRNA relative expression levels and elevated the ratios of IL‑2/IL‑4 and the transcription factors, T‑box‑containing protein/GATA‑3. The relative mRNA expression levels of the forkhead/winged‑helix transcription factor box protein 3 (Foxp3), programmed death‑1 (PD‑1) and IL‑10 were also downregulated by PSP. These observations indicate that the immunoregulatory effects of PSP are associated with restoration of WBC number, improving the absolute number of T lymphocyte subsets and B lymphocytes, inducing the Th1/Th2 response and downregulating the negative immune regulators, Foxp3, PD‑1 and IL‑10.

Regulatory properties of polysaccharopeptide derived from Coriolus versicolor and its combined effect with ciclosporin on the homeostasis of human lymphocytes

OBJECTIVES

Lymphocyte homoeostasis is essential in inflammatory and autoimmune diseases. In search of natural fungal metabolites with effects on lymphocyte homoeostasis, we recently reported that polysaccharopeptide (PSP) from Coriolus versicolor exhibited ciclosporin-like activity in controlling aberrant lymphocyte activation. This object of this study was to investigate its effect on lymphocyte homoeostasis. This was done by investigating the mechanistic actions of PSP in relation to ciclosporin by performing cell cycle and cell death analysis of human lymphocytes in vitro.

METHODS

We investigated the effect of PSP in the presence and absence of ciclosporin on cell proliferation, cell cycle, cell death, immunophenotype and cell cycle regulatory proteins in human lymphocytes.

KEY FINDINGS

The data showed that PSP exhibited homoeostatic activity by promoting and inhibiting the proliferation of resting and phytohaemagglutinin (PHA)-stimulated lymphocytes, respectively. PHA-stimulated lymphocytes exhibited G0/G1 cell cycle arrest that was accompanied by a reduction of cyclin E expression with PSP treatment. Both PSP and ciclosporin blocked the reduction of the CD4/CD8 ratio in stimulated lymphocytes. PSP did not induce cell death in human lymphocytes, but the suppression of the Fasreceptor suggested a protective role of PSP against extrinsic cell death signals. These homoeostatic effects were more potent with combined PSP and ciclosporin treatment than with either fungal metabolite alone.

CONCLUSIONS

Collectively, the results reveal certain novel effects of PSP in lymphocyte homoeostasis and suggest potential as a specific immunomodulatory adjuvant for clinical applications in the treatment of autoimmune diseases.

Dysregulation of p38 and MKP-1 in response to NOD1/TLR4 stimulation in sarcoid bronchoalveolar cells

RATIONALE

Sarcoidosis is a systemic inflammatory disorder characterized by distinct up-regulation of Th1 cytokines, such as tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α and IL-12. The mechanism underlying this up-regulation remains unclear. Recognition of microbial moieties through Toll-like or Nod-like receptors evokes sequential activation of mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs), which plays a role in Th1-immune response.

OBJECTIVES

To test the hypothesis that dysregulation in MAPK signaling in response to microbial stimulation is important in mediating Th1 response in sarcoidosis.

METHODS

Ex vivo cultured bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) cells isolated from patients with sarcoidosis and control subjects were stimulated with low-dose Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) and nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain 1 (NOD1) ligands as a model of microbial stimulation, and MAPK signaling and inflammatory response were analyzed.

MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS

BAL cells from patients with sarcoidosis exhibited higher basal p38 activity, greater p38 phosphorylation, and more robust production of TNF-α and IL-12/IL-23p40 on stimulation with NOD1 and TLR4 agonists than cells isolated from control subjects. In contrast, control BAL cells had greater basal extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) activity and NOD1 and TLR4 agonists preferentially activated the ERK pathway. Inhibition of p38, but not ERK, attenuated production of both IL12/IL23p40 and TNF-α. Interestingly, stimulation of cells from patients with sarcoidosis with either NOD1 or TLR4 ligand failed to induce MAPK phosphatase 1 (MKP-1). Adenovirus-mediated overexpression of MKP-1 attenuated p38 activation and decreased the production of IL12/IL23p40 and TNF-α in sarcoid BAL cells.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results suggest that enhanced p38 signaling in response to microbial products is caused by abnormal regulation of MKP-1 and contributes to heightened inflammation in sarcoidosis.