Beta-glucan structure determines immune response: Study

In vitro and in vivo studies of beta-glucans have highlighted how differing structures of the fibre determine their ability to bind to receptors on innate immune cells and the specific immune responses that result.

Published in Blood, the studies employed Biothera soluble and particulate beta-glucans which were found to behave differently in mediating immune modulatory effects such as T cell activation.

“These data demonstrate how different beta-glucan structures affect immunomodulatory mechanisms,” said principal investigator Jun Yan, MD, PhD, of the University of Louisville School of Medicine.

Source:

Blood

2011 117:6825-6836; doi:10.1182/blood-2011-02-339812

‘Differential Pathways Regulating Innate and Adaptive Anti-tumor Immune Responses by Particulate and Soluble Yeast-derived β-Glucans’

Authors: Chunjian Qi, Yihua Cai, Lacey Gunn, Chuanlin Ding, Bing Li, Goetz Kloecker, Keqing Qian, John Vasilakos, Shinobu Saijo, Yoichiro Iwakura, John R. Yannelli, Jun Yan