IL-12 Production Induced by Agaricus blazei Fraction H (ABH) Involves Toll-like Receptor (TLR).
Agaricus blazei Murill is an edible fungus used in traditional medicine, which has various well-documented medicinal properties. In the present study, we investigated the effects of hemicellulase-derived mycelia extract (Agaricus blazei fraction H: ABH) on the immune system. First, we examined the cytokine-inducing activity of ABH on human peripheral mononuclear cells (PBMC). The results indicated that ABH induced expression of IL-12, a cytokine known to be a critical regulator of cellular immune responses. Flow cytometric analysis demonstrated the induction of IL-12 production by the CD14-positive cell population, consisting of monocytes/macrophages (Mo/Mphi). Furthermore, the elimination of Mo/Mphi attenuated IL-12 production in PBMC. ABH-induced IL-12 production was inhibited by anti-CD14 and anti-TLR4 antibodies but not by anti-TLR2 antibody. The activity of ABH was not inhibited by polymyxin B, while the activity of lipopolysaccharide used as a reference was inhibited. Oral administration of ABH enhanced natural killer (NK) activity in the spleen. These findings suggest that ABH activated Mo/Mphi in a manner dependent on CD14/TLR4 and NK activity.
Kasai
H
H
He
L M
LM
Kawamura
M
M
Yang
P T
PT
Deng
X W
XW
Munkanta
M
M
Yamashita
A
A
Terunuma
H
H
Hirama
M
M
Horiuchi
I
I
Natori
T
T
Koga
T
T
Amano
Y
Y
Yamaguchi
N
N
Ito
M
M