Ganoderma lucidumstimulates NK cell cytotoxicity by inducing NKG2D/NCR activation and secretion of perforin and granulysin
- 26 June 2013
- journal article
- research article
- Published by SAGE Publications in Innate Immunity
- Vol. 20 (3), 301-311
- https://doi.org/10.1177/1753425913491789
Abstract
Ganoderma lucidum (G. lucidum) is a medicinal mushroom long used in Asia as a folk remedy to promote health and longevity. Recent studies indicate that G. lucidum activates NK cells, but the molecular mechanism underlying this effect has not been studied so far. To address this question, we prepared a water extract of G. lucidum and examined its effect on NK cells. We observed that G. lucidum treatment increases NK cell cytotoxicity by stimulating secretion of perforin and granulysin. The mechanism of activation involves an increased expression of NKG2D and natural cytotoxicity receptors (NCRs), as well as increased phosphorylation of intracellular MAPKs. Our results indicate that G. lucidum induces NK cell cytotoxicity against various cancer cell lines by activating NKG2D/NCR receptors and MAPK signaling pathways, which together culminate in exocytosis of perforin and granulysin. These observations provide a cellular and molecular mechanism to account for the reported anticancer effects of G. lucidum extracts in humans.This publication has 44 references indexed in Scilit:
- The Water‐Soluble Extract from Cultured Medium of Ganoderma lucidum (Reishi) Mycelia (Designated as MAK) Ameliorates Murine Colitis Induced by Trinitrobenzene Sulphonic AcidScandinavian Journal of Immunology, 2011
- Effects of triterpenes on the immune systemJournal of Ethnopharmacology, 2010
- Ganoderma lucidum: A Potent Pharmacological MacrofungusCurrent Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, 2009
- Suppression of the inflammatory response by triterpenes isolated from the mushroom Ganoderma lucidumInternational Immunopharmacology, 2009
- Novel hypoglycemic effects of Ganoderma lucidum water-extract in obese/diabetic (+db/+db) micePhytomedicine, 2009
- Ganoderma lucidum polysaccharides enhance the function of immunological effector cells in immunosuppressed miceJournal of Ethnopharmacology, 2007
- Effects of Ganoderma lucidum polysaccharides on proliferation and cytotoxicity of cytokine-induced killer cellsActa Pharmacologica Sinica, 2005
- Antioxidant activity ofGanoderma lucidum in acute ethanol-induced heart toxicityPhytotherapy Research, 2004
- Studies on the immuno-modulating and anti-tumor activities of Ganoderma lucidum (Reishi) polysaccharidesBioorganic & Medicinal Chemistry, 2004
- Hepatoprotective role ofganoderma lucidumpolysaccharide against BCG-induced immune liver injury in miceWorld Journal of Gastroenterology, 2002