β-Glucan extracts from the same edible shiitake mushroom Lentinus edodes produce differential in-vitro immunomodulatory and pulmonary cytoprotective effects — Implications for coronavirus disease (COVID-19) immunotherapies

• DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.139330
• Publication Date: 2020-05-11T03:03:01Z
• Authors: Emma J. Murphy; Claire Masterson; Emanuele Rezoagli; Daniel O'Toole; Ian Major; Gary D. Stack; Mark Lynch; John G. Laffey; Neil J. Rowan
• Keywords: Lentinan; Cytokine Storm

Coronavirus pneumonia is accompanied by rapid virus replication, where a large number of inflammatory cell infiltration and cytokine storm may lead to acute lung injury, respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) death. The uncontrolled release pro-inflammatory cytokines, including interleukin (IL)-1β IL-6, associated with ARDS. This constituted the first study report on variability in physicochemical properties β-glucans extracts from same edible mushroom Lentinus edodes reduction these cytokines oxidative stress. Specifically, impact immunomodulatory cytoprotective our novel 'house' (IH-Lentinan, IHL) commercial (Carbosynth-Lentinan, CL) Lentinan extract were investigated using vitro models injury macrophage phagocytosis. CL comprised higher amounts α-glucans correspondingly less β-glucans. two lentinan demonstrated varying activities. Both reduced cytokine-induced NF-κB activation human alveolar epithelial A549 cells, IHL proving more effective at lower doses. In contrast, activated THP-1 derived macrophages, effectively attenuated production (TNF-α, IL-8, IL-2, IL-22) as well TGF-β IL-10. stress-induced early apoptosis, while late apoptosis. Our findings demonstrate significant differences between extracts, which produce differential pulmonary effects that also have positive relevance candidate COVID-19 therapeutics targeting storm.