
Soluble components of Hericium erinaceum induce NK cell activation via production of interleukin‐12 in mice splenocytes 1
Author(s) -
YIM Myunghyun,
SHIN Jangwoo,
SON Jinyoung,
OH Semi,
HAN Seunghyun,
CHO Junghyo,
CHO Chongkwan,
YOO Hwaseung,
LEE Yeonweol,
SON Changgue
Publication year - 2007
Publication title -
acta pharmacologica sinica
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.514
H-Index - 90
eISSN - 1745-7254
pISSN - 1671-4083
DOI - 10.1111/j.1745-7254.2007.00577.x
Subject(s) - splenocyte , cytolysis , microbiology and biotechnology , interferon gamma , cytotoxicity , immunology , interleukin , chemistry , biology , cell culture , cytokine , antibody , in vitro , biochemistry , genetics
Aim: To investigate the immunoregulatory functions of water extracts of Hericium erinaceum (WEHE) focusing on natural killer (NK) cell‐based anticancer activities. Methods: Mouse splenocytes or purely isolated NK cells were stimulated with 1‐100 mg/L WEHE for 24 h followed by co‐culture with 51 Cr‐labled Yac‐1 cells for 4 h, then NK cell‐derived cytolytic activity was measured using a radio‐release assay. Neutralizing antibodies against mouse interleukin‐12 (IL‐12) were added into the WEHE‐stimulated splenocytes, thereafter, cytotoxicity was measured to examine the involvement of IL‐12. RT‐PCR and ELISA analyses were performed to confirm the induction of transcription and the translation of IL‐12 and interferon‐gamma (IFN‐gamma) in the WEHE‐treated splenocytes. Results: WEHE enhanced the cytolytic activity of total splenocytes towards Yac‐1 cells in a dose‐dependent manner. However, this activation was not observed when the NK cells isolated from the splenocytes were treated with WEHE. Furthermore, the treatment with antibodies against IL‐12 abolished the effect of WEHE on splenocyte‐derived cytolytic activity. RT‐PCR and ELISA analyses showed the induction of IL‐12 and IFN‐gamma in the WEHE‐treated splenocytes. Conclusion: WEHE indirectly activates the cytolytic ability of NK cells via the induction of IL‐12 in total splenocytes, and possibly via other immuno‐mediators or cellular components.