title: Administration of polysaccharides from Antrodia camphorata modulates dendritic cell function and alleviates allergen-induced T helper type 2 responses in a mouse model of asthma.
abstract: Asthma is a chronic disease characterized by airway inflammation caused by the dysregulated production of cytokines secreted by allergen-specific type 2 T helper (Th2) cells. Antrodia camphorata is a commonly used fungus in Asian folk medicine, and A. camphorata polysaccharides are reported to possess anti-cancer activities. In this study, the immunomodulatory effects of purified fractionated polysaccharides (GF2) from A. camphorata on dendritic cells (DCs) and their potential preventive effects against ovalbumin (OVA) -induced asthma were investigated. In the presence of GF2, lipopolysaccharide (LPS) -activated DCs exhibited up-regulated expression of major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II and co-stimulatory molecules, as well as enhanced interleukin-10 (IL-10) and IL-12 production. GF2 treatment on LPS-activated DCs suppressed naïve CD4(+) T-cell proliferation and Th2 cell polarization with IL-10 production in an allogeneic mixed lymphocyte reaction. In animal experiments, a high dose of GF2 efficiently reduced expression levels of OVA-specific immunoglobulin G1 (IgG1) and IgE. However, lower doses of GF2 significantly enhanced OVA-specific IgG2a production. Our data also showed that administration of GF2 dose-dependently inhibited the development of airway hyperresponsiveness, airway eosinophilia and Th2 responses. OVA-specific CD4(+) T cells from higher doses of GF2-treated mice had significantly lower proliferative capacities compared with control mice. Moreover, treatment with GF2 significantly increased the high levels of IL-10 and low levels of interferon-gamma produced by T cells. Taken together, these data indicate that administration of A. camphorata polysaccharides (GF2) may have therapeutic potential when used as an adjuvant for the immunomodulatory treatment of allergic asthma.
authors.affiliation: School of Medical Laboratory Science and Biotechnology, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Ko-Jiunn
authors.initials: KJ
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: Sy-Jye
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Leu
authors.forename: Ching-Hua
authors.initials: CH
authors.lastname: Su
authors.forename: Bor-Luen
authors.initials: BL
authors.lastname: Chiang
authors.forename: Yi-Lien
authors.initials: YL
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Yueh-Lun
authors.initials: YL
authors.lastname: Lee
mesh_terms: D000485:Allergens / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000276:immunology*; D000818:Animals; D055491:Antrodia / Q000737:chemistry*; D001249:Asthma / Q000276:immunology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D016535:Bronchial Hyperreactivity / Q000276:immunology / Q000517:prevention & control; D001985:Bronchial Provocation Tests; D001992:Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid / Q000737:chemistry / Q000166:cytology; D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology; D049109:Cell Proliferation / Q000187:drug effects; D002470:Cell Survival / Q000187:drug effects; D016207:Cytokines / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism; D003713:Dendritic Cells / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D015870:Gene Expression / Q000187:drug effects; D007073:Immunoglobulin E / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology; D016753:Interleukin-10 / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D018664:Interleukin-12 / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D008070:Lipopolysaccharides / Q000494:pharmacology; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D010047:Ovalbumin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000276:immunology; D011134:Polysaccharides / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011657:Pulmonary Eosinophilia / Q000276:immunology / Q000517:prevention & control; D013154:Spleen / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology; D018418:Th2 Cells / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology*; D014611:Vaccination
chemical_list: D000485:Allergens; D016207:Cytokines; D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D008070:Lipopolysaccharides; D011134:Polysaccharides; D016753:Interleukin-10; D018664:Interleukin-12; D007073:Immunoglobulin E; D010047:Ovalbumin