Figure 7

Model of the effects of whole mushrooms on anti-cancer immunity. Whole mushrooms contain active components that can induce TNF-α, and IL-1β in vitro while inhibiting IL-10 production. Consuming mushrooms in the diet also had an effect on immune function but that effect is evident only when the immune system is challenged. The change in the immune response induced by whole mushrooms is consistent with a potentially important improvement in cancer surveillance and anti-microbial killing while increasing inflammation and perhaps autoimmunity.