Ganoderma lucidum induces the expression of CD40/CD86 on peripheral blood monocytes.
BACKGROUND
The major immuno-modulating effects of Ganoderma lucidum include mitogenicity and activation of immune effector cells such as T cells, macrophages and natural killer cells resulting in the production of cytokines.


OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to evaluate the expression of CD40 and CD80 by G. lucidum-treated human peripheral blood mononuclear cells.


METHODS
Monocytes were isolated and incubated at 37 C and 5% CO2 for 24 h and 48 h in the presence or absence of different concentrations of G. lucidum. Cells were then incubated with labelled monoclonal antibodies against CD14, CD40 and B7-1(CD80) molecules utilizing standard protocols, and analyzed by flow cytometry.


RESULTS
The results showed that incubation of monocytes with G. lucidum led to marked enhancement of CD40 and B7-1 expression in a dose- and time- dependent manner (p<0.001). G. lucidum was more effective in enhancing the expression of CD80 and CD40 molecules of cells obtained from females than male donors (p<0.001).


CONCLUSIONS
G. lucidum enhanced the expression of CD40 and CD80 molecules on peripheral blood monocytic cells derived from both sexes in a dose-dependent manner, with a preferential higher effect on cells obtained from female donors.
Ahmadi
Kazem
K
Research Center of Molecular Biology, Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. Kazahmadi@yahoo.com
Riazipour
Majid
M
D000328:Adult; D000943:Antigens, Differentiation / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D051940:B7-2 Antigen / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology; D019013:CD40 Antigens / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005260:Female; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D006801:Humans; D016130:Immunophenotyping; D007963:Leukocytes, Mononuclear / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy; D008517:Phytotherapy; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D020940:Reishi; D012737:Sex Factors
D000943:Antigens, Differentiation; D051940:B7-2 Antigen; D019013:CD40 Antigens; D010936:Plant Extracts