title: Polysaccharides from Antrodia camphorata mycelia extracts possess immunomodulatory activity and inhibits infection of Schistosoma mansoni.
abstract: Antrodia camphorata (AC) is a commonly used fungus in folk medicine for the treatment of viral hepatitis and cancer. AC polysaccharides (AC-PS) are reported to possess anti-inflammatory, anti-hepatitis B virus, and anticancer activities. In this study, we tested the in vivo effect of AC-PS on immune function by evaluating cytokine expression; on immunomodulation, by evaluating spleen cells; and on Schistosoma mansoni infection in mice. The induction of high levels of interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) mRNA was detected in BALB/c mice after 2, 4, and 6 weeks of oral AC-PS administration. After 6 weeks of oral AC-PS administration to the BALB/c mice, the number of splenic dendritic cells, macrophages, and the surface expression of CD8 alpha+ and major histocompatibility class II I-A/I-E on dendritic cells increased. The CD4+/CD8+ ratio and number of B cells among splenocytes were also augmented. By using a disease model of parasitic infection, we found that AC-PS treatment inhibited S. mansoni infection in BALB/c mice. AC-PS appears to modulate the immune system of mice and has potential for preventing S. mansoni infection.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiation Oncology, Mackay Memorial Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Yu-Jen
authors.initials: YJ
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Po-Ching
authors.initials: PC
authors.lastname: Cheng
authors.forename: Ching-Nan
authors.initials: CN
authors.lastname: Lin
authors.forename: Hui-Fen
authors.initials: HF
authors.lastname: Liao
authors.forename: Yu-Yawn
authors.initials: YY
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Chin-Chu
authors.initials: CC
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Kin-Mu
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: Lee
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D039481:CD11b Antigen / Q000032:analysis; D039521:CD11c Antigen / Q000032:analysis; D016207:Cytokines / Q000235:genetics; D003713:Dendritic Cells / Q000276:immunology; D000949:Histocompatibility Antigens Class II / Q000032:analysis; D007155:Immunologic Factors / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D025282:Mycelium / Q000737:chemistry*; D020072:Polyporales / Q000737:chemistry*; D011134:Polysaccharides / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000032:analysis; D012555:Schistosomiasis mansoni / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology
chemical_list: D039481:CD11b Antigen; D039521:CD11c Antigen; D016207:Cytokines; D000949:Histocompatibility Antigens Class II; D007155:Immunologic Factors; D011134:Polysaccharides; D012333:RNA, Messenger