Ling Zhi-8: studies of a new immunomodulating agent.
Ling Zhi-8 (LZ-8) is a protein derived from the fungus Ganoderma lucidum and has immunomodulatory capacities. It was shown to be mitogenic toward mouse splenocytes in vitro and immunosuppressive in vivo by reducing antigen-induced antibody formation and by preventing completely the incidence of autoimmune diabetes in nonobese diabetic mice. In this study, the mitogenic effects of LZ-8 on human mononuclear cells are reported. In accordance to its mitogenic effect on mouse splenocytes, LZ-8 proved to be mitogenic for human PBMC. This mitogenic effect of LZ-8 apparently required the presence of monocytes. We also demonstrated it to be immunosuppressive in vitro in a human MLC performed in the absence of monocytes, using purified T cells and EBV-transformed allogeneic B cells. Furthermore, we tested LZ-8 for its possible suppressive effects in 2 different models of allogeneic tissue transplantation. LZ-8 proved to have a significant effect on cellular immunity, since its administration in an allografted mouse skin model resulted in an increased survival time. In a model of transplanted allogeneic pancreatic rat islets, LZ-8 was effective in delaying the rejection process of allografted islets. More frequent or continuous administration resulted in a further prolongation of survival time. No serious side effects of LZ-8 could be discerned in these experiments.
van der Hem
L G
LG
Department of Surgery, University Hospital Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
van der Vliet
J A
JA
Bocken
C F
CF
Kino
K
K
Hoitsma
A J
AJ
Tax
W J
WJ
D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000818:Animals; D001487:Basidiomycota / Q000737:chemistry; D005656:Fungal Proteins / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006085:Graft Survival / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D016381:Islets of Langerhans Transplantation; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D051381:Rats; D011916:Rats, Inbred F344; D011917:Rats, Inbred Lew; D016038:Skin Transplantation
D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic; D005656:Fungal Proteins; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; C061148:LZ-8 protein, Ganoderma lucidum