Immunomodulatory β-Glucan from Lentinus edodes Activates Mitogen-activated Protein Kinases and Nuclear Factor-κB in Murine RAW 264.7 Macrophages

A lentinan preparation extracted from shiitake mushroom was applied to RAW264.7 mouse macrophages. It activated ERK1/2, JNK1/2, and NF-kappa-B p65 signaling, but did not induce the TNF-alpha, nitric-oxide, or inducible-NOS responses seen with LPS. The study suggests pathway-selective immunomodulation in vitro. It concerns mushroom glucan, not Aureobasidium glucan, and does not establish health effects in people.