title: The antitumor activity of hydrophobin SC3, a fungal protein.
abstract: The use of mushroom extracts has been common practice in traditional medicine for centuries, including the treatment of cancer. Proteins called hydrophobins are very abundant in mushrooms. Here, it was examined whether they have antitumor activity. Hydrophobin SC3 of Schizophyllum commune was injected daily intraperitoneally starting 1 day after tumor induction in two tumor mouse models (sarcoma and melanoma). SC3 reduced the size and weight of the melanoma significantly, but the sarcoma seemed not affected. However, microscopic analysis of the tumors 12 days after induction revealed a strong antitumor effect of SC3 on both tumors. The mitotic activity of the tumor decreased 1.6- (melanoma) to 2.3-fold (sarcoma), while the vital mass decreased 2.3- (melanoma) to 4.3-fold (sarcoma) compared to the control. Treatment did not cause any signs of toxicity. Behavior, animal growth, and weight of organs were similar to animals injected with vehicle, and no histological abnormalities were found in the organs. In vitro cell culture studies revealed no direct cytotoxic effect of SC3 towards sarcoma cells, while cytotoxic activity was observed towards melanoma cells at a high SC3 concentration. Daily treatment with SC3 did not result in detectable levels of anti-SC3 antibodies in the plasma. Instead, a cellular immune response was observed. Incubation of spleen cells with SC3 resulted in a 1.5- to 2.5-fold increase in interleukin-10 and TNF-α mRNA levels. In conclusion, the nontoxic fungal hydrophobin SC3 showed tumor-suppressive activity possibly via immunomodulation and may be of benefit as adjuvant in combination with chemotherapy and radiation.
authors: BiOMaDe Technology Foundation, Nijenborgh 4, 9747 AG Groningen, The Netherlands.
authors: Marijke Haas Jimoh
authors: MH
authors: Akanbi
authors: Eduard
authors: E
authors: Post
authors: Sander M
authors: SM
authors: van Putten
authors: Louwe
authors: L
authors: de Vries
authors: Jarmila
authors: J
authors: Smisterova
authors: Anita H
authors: AH
authors: Meter-Arkema
authors: Han A B
authors: HA
authors: Wösten
authors: Rick
authors: R
authors: Rink
authors: Karin
authors: K
authors: Scholtmeijer
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D004354:Drug Screening Assays, Antitumor; D005656:Fungal Proteins / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D012567:Schizophyllum / Q000737:chemistry
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D005656:Fungal Proteins