Modulation of cytokines production, granzyme B and perforin in murine CIK cells by Ganoderma lucidum polysaccharides

Ganoderma lucidum polysaccharides (Gl-PS) have shown a variety of immune modulating effects. Culture of immunologic effector cells termed cytokine induced killer (CIK) cells is dependent on exogenous cytokines. It is not known about effects of Gl-PS on cytokine production, perforin and granzyme B expression in CIK cells. We made use of CIK cells as a means to investigate interaction between Gl-PS and cytokines, and explore mechanism of Gl-PS acting on proliferation and anti-tumor activity of CIK cells. The results suggested that Gl-PS (400 or 100 μg/ml) promoting CIK cells proliferation and cytotoxicity were relevant to enhancing IL-2, TNF production, protein and mRNA expression of granzyme B and perforin in CIK cells through synergizing cytokines in decreasing doses of IL-2 and anti-CD3 by 75 and 50%, and maybe were irrelevant to nitric oxide (NO). These results confirmed that Gl-PS was a promising biological response modifier (BRM) and immune potentiator.