Cordyceps sinensis (C. sinensis) is well known for its modulating effect on host immune system. As dendritic cells (DC) are professional antigen-presenting cells (APC) that play a key role in cancer immunotherapy, the maturation of DC is critical to the induction of T-cell responses. We investigated the effect of C. sinensis extract on the maturation of human monocyte-derived DC and the secretion of cytokines. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) from healthy donors were cultured with granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) and interleukin-4 (IL-4) for 6 days, then stimulated by hot-water extract of C. sinensis for 2 days. Stimulation with C. sinensis extract increased cell surface expression, and the RMFI (ratio of mean fluorescence intensity) of CD80, CD83, CD86 and HLA-DR are 1.70±0.32, 1.20±0.01, 2.29±0.29 and 1.44±0.23 (n=5, p<0.05), respectively. Moreover, when co-cultured with allogeneic T cells, C. sinensis extract caused the significant production of IL-12 p40 (256.8±185.4 pg/mL, control group is 98.2±46.73 pg/mL) and IFN-γ (311.1±156.4 pg/mL, control group is 22.5±35.1 pg/mL). In conclusion, these findings suggest that C. sinensis extract is a potent stimulator of DC and may be related to modulation of Th1 cells functions.
Cordyceps sinensis (C. sinensis) is well known for its modulating effect on host immune system. As dendritic cells (DC) are professional antigen-presenting cells (APC) that play a key role in cancer immunotherapy, the maturation of DC is critical to the induction of T-cell responses. We investigated the effect of C. sinensis extract on the maturation of human monocyte-derived DC and the secretion of cytokines. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) from healthy donors were cultured with granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) and interleukin-4 (IL-4) for 6 days, then stimulated by hot-water extract of C. sinensis for 2 days. Stimulation with C. sinensis extract increased cell surface expression, and the RMFI (ratio of mean fluorescence intensity) of CD80, CD83, CD86 and HLA-DR are 1.70±0.32, 1.20±0.01, 2.29±0.29 and 1.44±0.23 (n=5, p<0.05), respectively. Moreover, when co-cultured with allogeneic T cells, C. sinensis extract caused the significant production of IL-12 p40 (256.8±185.4 pg/mL, control group is 98.2±46.73 pg/mL) and IFN-γ (311.1±156.4 pg/mL, control group is 22.5±35.1 pg/mL). In conclusion, these findings suggest that C. sinensis extract is a potent stimulator of DC and may be related to modulation of Th1 cells functions.