Abstract

The water-soluble extract of Ganoderma lucidum (Reishi) has been used as immunomodulator to stimulate spleen cells proliferation and cytokine expression. It has also been shown that at some level of exposure, T-2 toxin typically act as immunosuppressive agent and can increase disease susceptibility. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of T-2 toxin on cytokine production by Ganoderma lucidum (G. lucidum) treated-cells. Mice peritoneal macrophages and lymphoid T cells were prepared by usual manner and plated out at 1x106 or 1x104 cell/well respectively in RPMI 1640 supplemented with 10 FCS, 50 μg streptomycin and 50U penicillin. Cells were incubated with different concentrations of G. lucidum in the presence or absence of 1 ng mL-1 T-2 toxin at 37°C and 5 CO2 for 48 h. Cell free medium was removed and used for cytokine assay by ELISA method. The results showed that T-2 toxin in the absence of G.lucidum enhanced IL-2, IFN-γ release compared with control group, but it reduced the production of other cytokines. G. lucidum enhanced the production of IL-1β, TNF-α, IL-12, IL-2 and IFN-γ compared with control group, but reduced IL-4 and IL-10 release. T-2 toxin, up regulated the enhancement effect of G. lucidum on IFN-γ, IL-2 and TNF-α, but it down regulated its effect on the production of other cytokines. In conclution our results indicate that T-2 toxin at ng mL-1 may augment the immunomodulating effects of G. lucidum on cytokine release. © 2008 Science Publications.