Immunomodulatory Activities of Polysaccharides from White Button Mushroom, Agaricus bisporus (Agaricomycetes), Fruiting Bodies and Cultured Mycelia in Healthy and Immunosuppressed Mice

Agaricus bisporus is a very important edible and medicinal mushroom. In this study, we systematically investigated the monosaccharide composition, methylation, and immunomodulatory activities of polysaccharides from A. bisporus fruiting bodies (FPS), cultured mycelia (IPS), and fermentation broth (EPS). The results indicated that FPS was mainly composed of mannose; IPS, of glucose; and EPS, of galactose. However, the methylation results indicated that FPS, IPS, and EPS possessed different polysaccharide structures. Furthermore, FPS, IPS, and EPS caused remarkable increases in the thymus and spleen indexes; in the amounts of serum cytokines containing interleukin (IL)-2, IL-4, tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), and interferon-γ (IFN-γ); in the counts of CD3+CD4+ lymphocytes and the ratio of CD4+ to CD8+ T lymphocytes; however, they decreased the counts of CD3+CD8+ lymphocytes in normal mice. Finally, in cyclophosphamide-treated mice, the FPS, IPS, and EPS were able to significantly restore the thymus and spleen indexes, lymphocyte proliferation, phagocytotic activity of peritoneal macrophages, and levels of IL-2, IL-6, IL-10, IL-17, TNF-α, and immunoglobin G. These findings suggest that FPS, IPS, and EPS could all be exploited as immunomodulatory agents and potential immunotherapeutic medicines for patients with inadequate immune function.