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Hirsutella sinensis mycelium attenuates bleomycin-induced pulmonary inflammation and fibrosis in vivo
Scientific Reports
  • Tsung-Teng Huang, Chang Gung University
  • Hsin-Chih Lai, Chang Gung University
  • Yun-Fei Ko, Ming Chi University of Technology
  • David M. Ojcius, University of the Pacific
  • Ying-Wei Lan, Chang Gung University
  • Jan Martel, Chang Gung University
  • John Ding-E. Young, Chang Gung University
  • Kowit-Yu Chong, Chang Gung University
ORCiD
David M. Ojcius: 0000-0003-1461-4495
Department
Biomedical Sciences
Document Type
Article
DOI
10.1038/srep15282
Publication Date
10-26-2015
Abstract

Hirsutella sinensis mycelium (HSM), the anamorph of Cordyceps sinensis, is a traditional Chinese medicine that has been shown to possess various pharmacological properties. We previously reported that this fungus suppresses interleukin-1β and IL-18 secretion by inhibiting both canonical and non-canonical inflammasomes in human macrophages. However, whether HSM may be used to prevent lung fibrosis and the mechanism underlying this activity remain unclear. Our results show that pretreatment with HSM inhibits TGF-β1–induced expression of fibronectin and α-SMA in lung fibroblasts. HSM also restores superoxide dismutase expression in TGF-β1–treated lung fibroblasts and inhibits reactive oxygen species production in lung epithelial cells. Furthermore, HSM pretreatment markedly reduces bleomycin–induced lung injury and fibrosis in mice. Accordingly, HSM reduces inflammatory cell accumulation in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid and proinflammatory cytokines levels in lung tissues. The HSM extract also significantly reduces TGF-β1 in lung tissues, and this effect is accompanied by decreased collagen 3α1 and α-SMA levels. Moreover, HSM reduces expression of the NLRP3 inflammasome and P2X7R in lung tissues, whereas it enhances expression of superoxide dismutase. These findings suggest that HSM may be used for the treatment of pulmonary inflammation and fibrosis.

Comments
Article number: 15282
Citation Information
Tsung-Teng Huang, Hsin-Chih Lai, Yun-Fei Ko, David M. Ojcius, et al.. "Hirsutella sinensis mycelium attenuates bleomycin-induced pulmonary inflammation and fibrosis in vivo" Scientific Reports Vol. 5 (2015) p. 1 - 18 ISSN: 2045-2322
Available at: http://works.bepress.com/david-ojcius/109/