Effects of lentinan on cytotoxic functions of human lymphocytes

Immunopharmacol Immunotoxicol. 1988;10(2):157-63. doi: 10.3109/08923978809014330.

Abstract

The in vitro effects of lentinan on natural killer (NK), antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity (ADCC), lectin-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity (LDCC) and mitogen-induced blast transformation were studied in patients with solid tumors and chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). NK activity was measured against 51Cr-labelled K-562 targets, ADCC against antibody-coated chicken red cells. LDCC and natural cell-mediated cytotoxicity (NCMC) was assessed using 3H-thymidine prelabelled HEp-2 targets. Mitogen (PHA- and Con A-) induced blast transformation was measured by thymidine incorporation. Blastogenesis and LDCC was not influenced by lentinan. 1 microgram/ml lentinan increased NCMC of tumor-bearing subjects. The most prominent enhancement of NK and ADCC activity was seen in CLL patients, where a dose-related increase was seen (from 0.01 to 1 microgram/ml).

MeSH terms

  • Antibody-Dependent Cell Cytotoxicity / drug effects
  • Cytotoxicity, Immunologic / drug effects*
  • Humans
  • Killer Cells, Natural / drug effects
  • Lentinan / pharmacology*
  • Lymphocyte Activation / drug effects
  • Lymphocytes / drug effects*
  • Lymphocytes / immunology
  • Polysaccharides / pharmacology*

Substances

  • Polysaccharides
  • Lentinan