MACROPHAGE-ACTIVATING MUSHROOM PROTEINS AND THE POSSIBLE PATHWAYS

摘要

Mushrooms are used as nutritious foodstuffs and have gained considerable attention because of their medical activities and therapeutic potentials, particularly anticancer and immune-regulating characteristics. Bioactive mushroom proteins, mainly identified as agglutinins and lectins, are the most important agents which provide diverse antitumor and immunomodulation activities. They can activate lymphocytes and stimulate cell proliferation as well as cytokine secretion in vitro, stimulate macrophage, inhibit the growth of implanted tumour cells, and cause cytotoxic or immunosuppressive effect in vivo. These capabilities may exhibit potential remedy for treating diseases in various states.