The effect of Ganoderma lucidum extract on immunological function and identify its anti-tumor immunostimulatory activity based on the biological network.

Ganoderma lucidum extract (GLE) has shown positive effects for tumor treatment. However, the molecular mechanism of GLE treatment is unknown. In this study, a Hepa1-6-bearing C57 BL/6 mouse model was established to explore the anti-tumor and immunostimulatory activity of GLE treatment. The results showed that GLE effectively inhibited tumor growth without hepatic/renal toxicity and bone marrow suppression, and might enhancing immunological function. Based on the mRNA profiles of GLE treated and untreated mice, 302 differentially expressed (DE) mRNAs were identified and 6 kernel mRNAs were identified from the established protein-protein interaction (PPI) network. Quantitative RT-PCR and western-blot analysis indicated that 6 mRNAs have had statistically significant differences between the GLE treated and untreated mice. Furthermore, four kernel pathways were isolated from the KEGG-Target network, including the Jak-STAT signaling pathway, T cell receptor signaling pathway, PI3K-Akt signaling pathway, and cytokine-cytokine receptor interaction. Western-blot and cytokine detection results demonstrated that GLE suppressed growth and proliferation of tumors by the Jak-STAT signaling pathway, T cell receptor signaling pathway and PI3K-Akt signaling pathway, but also regulated the expression levels of serum immune cytokines and improved the anti-tumor immunostimulatory activity.