Abstract
We have already reported that the D-Fraction, a beta-glucan extracted from the fruiting body of the maitake mushroom (Grifola frondosa), activates cellular immunity and expresses anti-tumor effects. In this study we investigated the anti-tumor functions of D-Fraction in relation to its control of the balance between T lymphocyte subsets Th-1 and Th-2. D-Fraction decreased the activation of B cells and potentiated the activation of helper T cells, resulting in enhanced cellular immunity. It also induced the production of interferon (IFN)-gamma, interleukin (IL)-12 p70, and IL-18 by whole spleen cells and lymph node cells, but suppressed that of IL-4. These results suggest that D-Fraction establishes Th-1 dominance which induces cellular immunity in the population that was Th-2 dominant due to carcinoma.
MeSH terms
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Agaricales*
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Animals
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B-Lymphocytes / immunology
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CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / immunology
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CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / metabolism
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Carcinoma / immunology
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Carcinoma / metabolism
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Cytokines / biosynthesis
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Cytokines / immunology
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Interferon-gamma / biosynthesis
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Interleukin-12 / biosynthesis
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Interleukin-18 / biosynthesis
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Interleukin-4 / biosynthesis
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Lymph Nodes / drug effects*
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Lymph Nodes / immunology
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Lymph Nodes / metabolism
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Lymphocyte Activation / drug effects
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Male
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Mice
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Mice, Inbred C3H
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Plant Extracts / pharmacology*
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Spleen / cytology
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Spleen / immunology
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Spleen / metabolism
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T-Lymphocyte Subsets / immunology
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T-Lymphocyte Subsets / metabolism
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Th1 Cells / drug effects*
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Th1 Cells / immunology
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Th1 Cells / metabolism
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Th2 Cells / drug effects*
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Th2 Cells / immunology
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Th2 Cells / metabolism
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Xenograft Model Antitumor Assays / methods
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Xenograft Model Antitumor Assays / statistics & numerical data
Substances
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Cytokines
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Interleukin-18
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Plant Extracts
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Interleukin-12
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Interleukin-4
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Interferon-gamma