RNA-seq based elucidation of mechanism underlying Ganoderma atrum polysaccharide induced immune activation of murine myeloid-derived dendritic cells

[Display omitted] •RNA-seq analysis revealed immune function of DCs was activated by PSG-1.•PI3K/Akt and NF-κB were among top 20 enriched pathways identified by KEGG analysis.•PSG-1 inducedthe expression ofp-Akt and p-IκBα in DCs.•Inhibitors of PI3K/Akt and NF-κB pathways decreased cytokines and chemokines levels. Our previous study has demonstrated that Ganoderma atrum polysaccharide (PSG-1) could induce activation and maturation of dendritic cells (DCs). Hereby, this study aimed to further elucidate the underlying mechanism of PSG-1 induced immune activation based on RNA-seq. The results of RNA-seq analysis showed 2231 differentially expressed genes between PSG-1 and control group. 28 biological processes terms, 20 molecular functions terms, and 10 cellular components terms were identified by GO analysis. PI3K/Akt and NF-κB pathways were belong to 20 most significantly affected signaling pathways analyzed by KEGG. p-Akt and p-IκBα levels in DCs were raised by PSG-1, and PSG-1-induced expression of MHC-II, CD80 and CD86 and production of IL-6 and TNF-α were decreased by the inhibitors of PI3K/Akt and NF-κB pathways. These results indicated that immune response and immune function were regulated in PSG-1 stimulated DCs based on RNA-seq, in which PI3K/Akt and NF-κB pathways played a vital role.