Mushroom lectin overcomes hepatitis B virus tolerance via TLR6 signaling

Sci Rep. 2017 Jul 19;7(1):5814. doi: 10.1038/s41598-017-06261-5.

Abstract

Currently, chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection remains a serious public health problem in the world. Recombinant HBV vaccine, as a preventive strategy against HBV infection, generates high antibody level, but it is not effective to activate innate and cellular immunity for chronic HBV infection therapy. Lectins from mushroom are natural and active proteins which have been shown important biological functions. However, little is known about the immunological mechanism engaged by mushroom lectins. Here we report that, lectin from Pleurotus ostreatus (POL) stimulated innate response by activating Toll-like receptor 6 signal pathway of dendritic cells. Subsequently POL enhanced HBV specific antibody level and follicular helper T cells response which overcame HBV tolerance in transgenic mice. This study suggests a novel mechanism for POL acting on immune response and a therapeutic approach to break HBV tolerance.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Agaricales / chemistry*
  • Animals
  • Cell Differentiation / drug effects
  • Cytokines / metabolism
  • Dendritic Cells / drug effects
  • Dendritic Cells / immunology
  • Female
  • Hepatitis B virus / drug effects
  • Hepatitis B virus / immunology*
  • Immune Tolerance / drug effects*
  • Immunity, Cellular / drug effects
  • Immunity, Innate / drug effects
  • Immunization
  • Lectins / pharmacology*
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Mice, Transgenic
  • Signal Transduction*
  • T-Lymphocytes, Helper-Inducer / drug effects
  • Toll-Like Receptor 6 / metabolism*

Substances

  • Cytokines
  • Lectins
  • Toll-Like Receptor 6