Immunostimulatory Effects ofCordyceps militarison Macrophages through the Enhanced Production of Cytokines via the Activation of NF-κB

Abstract

BackgroundCordyceps militaris has been used in traditional medicine to treat numerous diseases and has been reported to possess both antitumor and immunomodulatory activities in vitro and in vivo. However, the pharmacological and biochemical mechanisms of Cordyceps militaris extract (CME) on macrophages have not been clearly elucidated. In the present study, we examined how CME induces the production of proinflammatory cytokines, transcription factor, and the expression of co-stimulatory molecules.MethodsWe confirmed the mRNA and protein levels of proinflammatory cytokines through RT-PCR and western blot analysis, followed by a FACS analysis for surface molecules.ResultsCME dose dependently increased the production of NO and proinflammatory cytokines such as IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α, and PGE2, and it induced the protein levels of iNOS, COX-2, and proinflammatory cytokines in a concentration-dependent manner, as determined by western blot and RT-PCR analysis, respectively. The expression of co-stimulatory molecules such as ICAM-1, B7-1, and B7-2 was also enhanced by CME. Furthermore, the activation of the nuclear transcription factor, NF-κB in macrophages was stimulated by CME.ConclusionBased on these observations, CME increased proinflammatory cytokines through the activation of NF-κB, further suggesting that CME may prove useful as an immune-enhancing agent in the treatment of immunological disease.

Fermentation products of <i>Cordyceps militaris</i> enhance performance and modulate immune response of weaned piglets

“…In this experiment, the increased cellular response was also associated with an increased expression of Th1 cytokines as measured by the elevated levels of IL-1, IL-6, IL-10 and TNF-α. An increased production of inflammatory cytokines was also observed in mice fed with various preparations of C. militaris and C. sinensis (Sheng et al, 2010;Shin et al, 2010) and in cell lines exposed to these extracts (Han et al, 2010;Meng et al, 2014). Macrophages are key participants in the innate immune system's ability to respond to the invasion of pathogenic organisms.…”

Immunostimulating activity of the polysaccharides isolated from Cordyceps militaris

“…Mushroom-derived polysaccharides can produce an anti-tumor effect by stimulating natural killer cells, T cells, B cells, and macrophage-dependent immune system response [11,12]. Among them, the production of proinflammatory cytokine and cytotoxic molecules is an important part of the immune responses to many inflammatory stimuli [14,15].…”

“…There is a significant amount of experimental evidence suggesting that polysaccharides from mushrooms enhance the host immune system by stimulating natural killer cells, T-cells, B-cells, and macrophage-dependent immune system responses [11,12]. The role of activated macrophages in the defense against tumor cells has been investigated extensively.…”

H2 inhibits TNF-α-induced lectin-like oxidized LDL receptor-1 expression by inhibiting nuclear factor κB activation in endothelial cells

“…*P \ 0.05, ***P \ 0.001 protein detection, lysis buffer was used that consisted of 20 mM Tris, pH 7.5, 1 mM EDTA, 150 mM NaCl, 1 mM EGTA, 1% TritonX-100, 2.5 mM sodium pyrophosphate, 1 mM a-glycerolphosphate, 1 mM Na 3 VO 4 , and proteinase inhibitor cocktail (Invitrogen). Preparation of nuclear extracts was done as previously described (Shin et al 2010). They were then subjected to western blot analyses using anti-LOX-1 (Abcam), anti-Histone-H1, NF-jB p65, b-actin and phosphorylated IjB-a (Santa Cruz) antibodies.…”