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Mycoleptodonoides aitchisonii suppresses asthma via Th2 and Th1 cell regulation in an ovalbumin-induced asthma mouse model

Summary

This research investigated how an edible mushroom called Mycoleptodonoides aitchisonii could help treat asthma. The study found that this mushroom effectively reduced asthma symptoms in mice by controlling inflammation and immune system responses. Unlike current asthma medications that can have serious side effects, this natural treatment shows promise as a safer alternative. Impacts on everyday life: – Could provide a natural alternative to steroid medications for asthma treatment – May reduce dependence on inhalers and other conventional asthma medications – Could help lower healthcare costs through prevention of asthma attacks – Demonstrates the potential medical value of common edible mushrooms – May lead to development of safer long-term asthma management options

Background

Asthma is a severe respiratory disease classified as a hyper-responsive immune disease affecting approximately 235 million people worldwide as of 2013. It is characterized by symptoms ranging from coughing to constructive apnea, resulting from mucous secretion, goblet cell hyperplasia, epithelial cell shedding, basement membrane thickening and eosinophil infiltration. Current treatments like steroids have severe side effects, creating a need for more effective natural alternatives.

Objective

To evaluate the anti-asthmatic effects of Mycoleptodonoides aitchisonii using an ovalbumin-induced asthma mouse model and investigate its mechanism of action through analysis of various immune system markers and inflammatory mediators.

Results

M. aitchisonii dose-dependently suppressed white blood cells, eosinophils and IgE levels in treated mice. It recovered typical asthmatic morphological changes in lungs and effectively decreased expression of various immune cell markers (CD3, CD4, CD8, CD19, MHC class II). The treatment regulated both Th1 and Th2 related factors including transcription factors T-bet and GATA-3, and cytokines IFN-γ, IL-12, TNF-α, IL-4, IL-5, IL-6 and IL-13. Particularly strong inhibition was observed for IL-5, IL-6 and IL-13 expression. Nicotinic acid, oleic acid and linoleic acid were identified as potential bioactive compounds.

Conclusion

M. aitchisonii demonstrates significant anti-asthmatic effects through suppression of both Th1 and Th2 immune responses, with particularly strong effects on IL-5, IL-6 and IL-13 expression. The mushroom extract shows promise as a potential natural therapeutic agent for asthma treatment with fewer side effects than current steroid medications.
  • Published in:Molecular Medicine Reports,
  • Study Type:Experimental Animal Study,
  • Source: 10.3892/mmr.2017.7901
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