Whole mushrooms inhibit in vitro monocyte binding to human aortic endothelial cells

Abstract

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a leading cause of mortality in the US. Studies show that fruit and vegetable consumption reduces CVD risk, in part, due to antioxidant activity and immunomodulation since oxidative stress and inflammation are features of atherogenesis. We focused here on commonly available dietary mushrooms since ~59% of the annual 5 million metric tons of cultivated edible mushrooms are estimated to contain functional neutraceutical or medicinal properties. In this study, human aortic endothelial cells (HAEC) were incubated overnight (20 h) with control media alone or with whole dehydrated mushrooms resuspended in DMSO as a vehicle (0.1 mg/mL). Test mushrooms included Agaricus bisporus (white button and crimini), Lentinula edodes (shiitake), Pleurotus osteratus (Oyster), and Grifola frondosa (maitake). After 20 h, monolayers were washed and incubated with medium alone or with the pro‐inflammatory cytokine IL‐1 beta (5 ng/mL) for 6 h. Monolayers were assayed for adhesion molecule expression and binding of pre‐labeled human monocytes. White button mushrooms consistently reduced (p < 0.05) VCAM‐1, ICAM‐1, and E‐selectin expression; other mushrooms also reduced expression, but sporadically. All mushrooms significantly reduced monocyte binding to both quiescent and cytokine‐stimulated monolayers providing evidence that dietary mushrooms can protect against cardiovascular disease.