Ganoderma lucidum Polysaccharides Induce Macrophage-Like Differentiation in Human Leukemia THP-1 Cells via Caspase and p53 Activation
2011

Ganoderma lucidum Polysaccharides Help Leukemia Cells Become Macrophages

publication Evidence: moderate

Author Information

Author(s): Hsu Jia-Wei, Huang Hsuan-Cheng, Chen Shui-Tein, Wong Chi-Huey, Juan Hsueh-Fen

Primary Institution: National Taiwan University

Hypothesis

Can polysaccharides from Ganoderma lucidum induce differentiation in human leukemia THP-1 cells?

Conclusion

Polysaccharides F3 from Ganoderma lucidum can induce differentiation of human leukemia THP-1 cells into macrophage-like cells through caspase and p53 activation.

Supporting Evidence

  • F3 treatment increased the percentage of THP-1 cells that adhered to culture wells, indicating differentiation.
  • F3 enhanced superoxide production in THP-1 cells, a marker of macrophage activity.
  • F3 treatment led to cell cycle arrest in THP-1 cells, a characteristic of differentiated cells.
  • Gene expression of macrophage markers CD11b, CD14, and CD68 increased significantly after F3 treatment.

Takeaway

This study shows that a substance from a mushroom can help leukemia cells turn into a type of immune cell, which might help in treating cancer.

Methodology

The study used microarray analysis, flow cytometry, western blotting, and various assays to assess cell differentiation and gene expression.

Statistical Information

Statistical Significance

p<0.05

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1093/ecam/nep107

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