The present disclosure provides methods for increasing the
lipopolysaccharide-induced secretion of IL-1 by macrophages, for
increasing serum levels of IL-1 in a mammal, for increasing the serum
level of IL-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1Ra) in a mammal, for increasing
the secretion of IL-1 by a monocyte, for increasing the secretion of
IL-1Ra by a monocyte, for increasing the secretion of IL-1Ra by a
macrophage, for increasing expression of TLR4 on the surface of a
macrophage, for increasing expression of CD14 on the surface of
macrophage, for increasing the uptake and clearance of lipopolysaccharide
(LPS) by a LPS-stimulated macrophage, and for increasing
lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated activation of at least one of ERK,
JNK, and p38 in a macrophage. The methods of the disclosure involve the
administration to mammals and immune cells of a fucose-containing
glycoprotein fraction from Ganoderma lucidum.