Pachyman treatment improves CD4+CD25+ Treg counts and serum interleukin 4 and interferon γ levels in a mouse model of Kawasaki disease

The aim of this study was to explore the effect of pachyman, a mushroom extract, on CD4(+)CD25(+) regulatory T cells (Tregs), serum interleukin 4 (IL-4) and interferon gamma (IFN-gamma) levels in a mouse model of Kawasaki disease. Lactobacillus casei cell wall extract was diluted to 1 mg/ml in PBS and administered to mice by intraperitoneal injection to establish a model of Kawasaki disease. Sixty female mice were used in this study, 40 of which were randomly assigned to a model (normal saline by gavage, n=20) or experimental group (200 mg/kg/day pachyman by gavage, n=20). The remaining 20 mice were disease and treatment-free, and were used as the control group. Compared to the control mice, mice in the model group exhibited a significantly lower percentage of CD4(+)CD25(+) Tregs and significantly higher serum IL-4 and IFN-gamma levels (P<0.05). However, CD4(+)CD25(+) Tregs significantly increased and IL-4 and IFN-gamma levels significantly decreased in experimental mice following pachyman treatment (P<0.05). Further analysis showed a negative correlation between CD4(+)CD25(+) Tregs and IL-4/IFN-gamma levels (P<0.05). In conclusion, pachyman improves immune function in a mouse model of Kawasaki disease by upregulating CD4(+)CD25(+) Tregs, which may inhibit the cytokine secretion of Th-1 and Th-2 cells.