Abstract
Aim:
To investigate the immunoregulatory functions of water extracts of Hericium erinaceum (WEHE) focusing on natural killer (NK) cell-based anticancer activities.
Methods:
Mouse splenocytes or purely isolated NK cells were stimulated with 1-100 mg/L WEHE for 24 h followed by co-culture with 51Cr-labled Yac-1 cells for 4 h, then NK cell-derived cytolytic activity was measured using a radio-release assay. Neutralizing antibodies against mouse interleukin-12 (IL-12) were added into the WEHE-stimulated splenocytes, thereafter, cytotoxicity was measured to examine the involvement of IL-12. RT-PCR and ELISA analyses were performed to confirm the induction of transcription and the translation of IL-12 and interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) in the WEHE-treated splenocytes.
Results:
WEHE enhanced the cytolytic activity of total splenocytes towards Yac-1 cells in a dose-dependent manner. However, this activation was not observed when the NK cells isolated from the splenocytes were treated with WEHE. Furthermore, the treatment with antibodies against IL-12 abolished the effect of WEHE on splenocyte-derived cytolytic activity. RT-PCR and ELISA analyses showed the induction of IL-12 and IFN-gamma in the WEHE-treated splenocytes.
Conclusion:
WEHE indirectly activates the cytolytic ability of NK cells via the induction of IL-12 in total splenocytes, and possibly via other immuno-mediators or cellular components.
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This study was supported by a grant from the Oriental Medicine R&D Project (No B050018), Ministry of Health and Welfare, Korea.
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Yim, Mh., Shin, Jw., Son, Jy. et al. Soluble components of Hericium erinaceum induce NK cell activation via production of interleukin-12 in mice splenocytes. Acta Pharmacol Sin 28, 901–907 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1745-7254.2007.00577.x
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1745-7254.2007.00577.x
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