Abstract
BackgroundAgaricus brasiliensis is a medicinal mushroom with immunomodulatory and antitumor activities attributed to the β-glucans presented in the polysaccharide fraction of its fruiting body. Since β-glucans enhance cellular immunoresponsiveness, in this study we aimed to evaluate the effect of an acid-treated polysaccharide-rich fraction (ATF) of A. brasiliensis on the ability of human monocytes to adhere/phagocyte C. albicans yeast cells, their expression of pattern recognition receptors and their ability to produce cytokines.MethodsAdhesion/phagocytosis of FITC-labeled C. albicans was evaluated by flow cytometry. Cells were incubated with specific fluorochrome-labeled antibodies for TLR2 and 4, βGR and MR and also evaluated by flow cytometry. Monocytes were cultured with ATF, and culture supernatants were collected for analysis of in vitro cytokine production by ELISA (TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-12 and IL-10).ResultsATF significantly increased the adherence/phagocytosis of C. albicans by monocytes and this was associated with enhanced expression of TLR2 and TLR4, while no effect was observed on βGR or MR. Moreover, expression of TLR4 and TLR2 was associated with higher levels of in vitro production of TNF-α and IL-1, respectively. Production of IL-10 was also increased by ATF treatment, but we found no association between its production and the expression of Toll-like receptors.ConclusionOur results provided us with evidence that A. brasiliensis polysaccharides affect human monocytes probably through the modulation of Toll-like receptors.
Highlights
Agaricus brasiliensis is a medicinal mushroom with immunomodulatory and antitumor activities attributed to the β-glucans presented in the polysaccharide fraction of its fruiting body
We observed that acid-treated polysaccharide-rich fraction (ATF) significantly increased the adherence/phagocytosis of C. albicans by monocytes by modulating the expression of TLR2 and TLR4 and the production of TNF-α and IL-1β
ATF increases the adherence/phagocytosis of C. albicans The ability of ATF to stimulate the phagocytic activity of human monocytes was measured by flow cytometry considering the number of C. albicans-fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC) that adhered to or was phagocytosed by adherent cells
Summary
Agaricus brasiliensis is a medicinal mushroom with immunomodulatory and antitumor activities attributed to the β-glucans presented in the polysaccharide fraction of its fruiting body. Agaricus brasiliensis Wasser et al (formerly Agaricus blazei Murrill) is a mushroom native to Brazil that has a wide range of medicinal properties including antitumor and immunostimulatory activities [1,2,3,4,5,6]. These activities are mainly attributed to β-glucans found in the Martins et al Journal of Venomous Animals and Toxins including Tropical Diseases (2017) 23:17 both by restoring NK activity and modulating the cytokine production by spleen cells [1, 10]. Since activation of innate immunity and stimulation of proinflammatory cytokines involve recognition of microbial pathogenassociated molecular patterns (PAMPs) by the pattern recognition receptors (PRRs), we asked whether the putative effect on monocyte activities would be associated with stimulation of these receptors [16]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
