Hot water extract from spent mushroom substrate of Ganoderma lucidum improves immune function in immune-deficient mice

Purpose: To investigate the effects of hot water extract of the spent mushroom substrate from Ganoderma lucidum (HWE) on the immune functions of immune-deficient mice in the presence or absence of cyclophosphamide. Methods: The C57BL/6 mice were treated with varying doses of HWE and cyclophosphamide, and the spleen transcriptome was evaluated by high-throughput sequencing. Pathway enrichment analysis was conducted to generate an overview of differentially-expressed genes (DEGs) functions and interactions. Results: Significant DEGs were observed among the control (CK), normal control (HWE), model (CY), and high-dose HWE (CY + HWEH) groups (p < 0.05). Compared with CK group, HWE and CY + HWEH groups showed upregulation of genes (Alas2, CCNE1, and CCNA2), whereas genes encoding major histocompatibility complex components, costimulatory factors, proinflammatory chemokines, and inflammatory chemokines were significantly downregulated (p < 0.05). Compared with CY group, multiple tumor suppressor and tumorigenesis genes, such as CDKN1A, CDKN1B, MAPK10, and TN-C, were downregulated in CK, HWE, and CY + HWEH groups. Conclusion: This study highlights changes in the spleen transcriptomic profiles of C57BL/6 mice treated with HWE and CY, indicating that HWE improves immunomodulation in a mouse model with immune deficiency. Hot water extract of the spent mushroom substrate from Ganoderma lucidum (HWE) has potentials as an immune enhancer in immunocompromised patients.