β-1,6-Glucan From Pleurotus eryngii Modulates the Immunity and Gut Microbiota

Polysaccharides from Pleurotus eryngii exhibit a variety of biological activities. Here, we obtained a homogeneous branched beta-1,6-glucan (APEP-A-b) from the fruiting bodies of P. eryngii and investigated its effect on immunity and gut microbiota. Our results showed that APEP-A-b significantly increases splenic lymphocyte proliferation, NK cell activity and phagocytic capacity of peritoneal cavity phagocytes. Furthermore, we found that the proportion of CD4(+) and CD8(+) T cells in lamina propria are significantly increased upon APEP-A-b treatment. Additionally, APEP-A-b supplementation demonstrated pronounced changes in microbiota reflected in promotion of relative abundances of species in the Lachnospiraceae and Rikenellaceae families. Consistently, APEP-A-b significantly increased the concentration of acetic and butyric acid in cecum contents. Overall, our results suggest that beta-1,6-glucan from P. eryngii might enhance immunity by modulating microbiota. These results are important for the processing and product development of P. eryngii derived polysaccharides.

Automated summary

The polysaccharides from Pleurotus eryngii, specifically APEP-A-b, have been found to have positive effects on immunity and gut microbiota. APEP-A-b can increase lymphocyte proliferation, NK cell activity, and phagocytic capacity of peritoneal cavity phagocytes. It also increases the proportion of CD4(+) and CD8(+) T cells in the lamina propria and induces changes in the gut microbiota composition. These findings are important for the development of polysaccharides derived from Pleurotus eryngii.