Abstract
Adequate nutrition and a functional immune system are essential to resist infections. Previous studies have shown that AHCC, a natural compound, enhances survival compared to controls of food‐deprived mice exposed to bacterial infection. The mechanisms of AHCC effects on the immune system remain unclear. The objective of this study was to evaluate the humoral immune response of food deprived mice after immunization with OVA. Food‐deprived mice receiving either AHCC or excipient were immunized with OVA. Ten days after immunizations, blood and spleen cells were obtained under sterile conditions. Differential cell counts were performed on whole blood and specific anti‐OVA antibody levels (IgM, IgG, IgG1, IgG2a, IgG2b, and IgG3) were measured in plasma. Lymphocyte phenotypes (CD3+, CD8+, CD4+, CD19+, NK+, Gr1+) were assessed by flow cytometry. Spleen function was evaluated by determining cell proliferation in response to mitogens (lipopolysaccharide [LPS], OVA and LPS+OVA) and B cell function by ELISpot (IgG and IgM). The results indicate that AHCC treatment induced a significant increase in the number of circulating leukocytes and an increase in the percentage of CD4+ T helper lymphocytes. AHCC treatment also induced an increased antibody response against OVA, especially of the IgG3 type as well as an increased proliferative response to stimulation with LPS and OVA antigens. Taken together, these results suggest that AHCC‐treatment can compensate for the detrimental effects of food deprivation on humoral immunity. Additional studies using vaccines that require the development of a strong humoral response are necessary to fully understand the potential of AHCC to be used as an adjuvant.
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