Neuroprotective Potential of Hericium erinaceus Through Modulation of Inflammatory Signaling in THP-1 Macrophages Under Low-Level Lead Exposure

Kupnicka, Patrycja; Szućko-Kociuba, Izabela; Trzeciak-Ryczek, Alicja; Ptak, Michalina; Piotrowska, Katarzyna; Kołodziejczak, Maciej; Baranowska-Bosiacka, Irena

doi:10.3390/ijms27031318

Open AccessArticle

Neuroprotective Potential of Hericium erinaceus Through Modulation of Inflammatory Signaling in THP-1 Macrophages Under Low-Level Lead Exposure

by

Patrycja Kupnicka

^1,*

,

Izabela Szućko-Kociuba

^2,3

,

Alicja Trzeciak-Ryczek

^2,3

,

Michalina Ptak

¹,

Katarzyna Piotrowska

⁴

,

Maciej Kołodziejczak

¹

and

Irena Baranowska-Bosiacka

¹

Department of Biochemistry and Medical Chemistry, Pomeranian Medical University in Szczecin, Al. Powstańców Wlkp. 72, 70-111 Szczecin, Poland

²

Institute of Biology, University of Szczecin, 13 Wąska, 71-415 Szczecin, Poland

³

The Centre for Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, University of Szczecin, 13 Wąska, 71-415 Szczecin, Poland

⁴

Department of Physiology, Pomeranian Medical University in Szczecin, Al. Powstańców Wlkp. 72, 70-111 Szczecin, Poland

^*

Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2026, 27(3), 1318; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms27031318

Submission received: 1 January 2026 / Revised: 25 January 2026 / Accepted: 26 January 2026 / Published: 28 January 2026

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Natural Products for Neuroprotection and Neurodegeneration)

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Abstract

Exposure to lead is associated with microglial dysfunction and the development of neuroinflammation. This contributes to accelerated neurodegeneration. Even low doses of this element modulate inflammatory responses and might contribute to central nervous system dysfunction. Extracts from the mushroom Hericium erinaceus (HE) possess well-documented neurotropic properties; however, its potential neuroprotective mechanisms under conditions of environmental neurotoxicity remain poorly defined. In this study, we investigated the effects of HE on inflammatory signaling in a microglia-oriented in vitro model using THP-1-derived macrophages exposed to low levels of lead (3.5 µg/dL). In our study, Pb exposure did not increase tumor necrosis factor (TNF) alpha levels but reduced monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) secretion and altered cyclooxygenase (COX) expression, indicating immune response modulation rather than inflammatory activation. Under combined Pb and HE exposure, a marked shift in cyclooxygenase expression toward COX-2 at both the gene and protein levels was observed, accompanied by increased PGE₂ production; these effects were dose-dependent. The inflammatory signaling was modulated rather than amplified. Also, TNF alpha levels were elevated after combined treatment, whereas gene expression responses were dose-dependent. MCP-1 secretion was fine-tuned toward control values, consistent with macrophage morphological changes, while IL-6 levels were increased. Overall, these findings indicate that Hericium erinaceus exerts immunomodulatory effects in microglia-like cells under low-level lead exposure, supporting its neuroprotective potential through modulation of neuroinflammatory signaling.

Keywords: Hericium erinaceus; inflammation; macrophage; neurodegeneration; neuroprotection; immunomodulation

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MDPI and ACS Style

Kupnicka, P.; Szućko-Kociuba, I.; Trzeciak-Ryczek, A.; Ptak, M.; Piotrowska, K.; Kołodziejczak, M.; Baranowska-Bosiacka, I. Neuroprotective Potential of Hericium erinaceus Through Modulation of Inflammatory Signaling in THP-1 Macrophages Under Low-Level Lead Exposure. Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2026, 27, 1318. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms27031318

AMA Style

Kupnicka P, Szućko-Kociuba I, Trzeciak-Ryczek A, Ptak M, Piotrowska K, Kołodziejczak M, Baranowska-Bosiacka I. Neuroprotective Potential of Hericium erinaceus Through Modulation of Inflammatory Signaling in THP-1 Macrophages Under Low-Level Lead Exposure. International Journal of Molecular Sciences. 2026; 27(3):1318. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms27031318

Chicago/Turabian Style

Kupnicka, Patrycja, Izabela Szućko-Kociuba, Alicja Trzeciak-Ryczek, Michalina Ptak, Katarzyna Piotrowska, Maciej Kołodziejczak, and Irena Baranowska-Bosiacka. 2026. "Neuroprotective Potential of Hericium erinaceus Through Modulation of Inflammatory Signaling in THP-1 Macrophages Under Low-Level Lead Exposure" International Journal of Molecular Sciences 27, no. 3: 1318. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms27031318

APA Style

Kupnicka, P., Szućko-Kociuba, I., Trzeciak-Ryczek, A., Ptak, M., Piotrowska, K., Kołodziejczak, M., & Baranowska-Bosiacka, I. (2026). Neuroprotective Potential of Hericium erinaceus Through Modulation of Inflammatory Signaling in THP-1 Macrophages Under Low-Level Lead Exposure. International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 27(3), 1318. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms27031318

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Neuroprotective Potential of Hericium erinaceus Through Modulation of Inflammatory Signaling in THP-1 Macrophages Under Low-Level Lead Exposure

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