-
Cell Reports May 2020β-glucan is a potent inducer of epigenetic and functional reprogramming of innate immune cells, a process called "trained immunity," resulting in an enhanced host...
β-glucan is a potent inducer of epigenetic and functional reprogramming of innate immune cells, a process called "trained immunity," resulting in an enhanced host response against secondary infections. We investigate whether β-glucan exposure confers protection against pulmonary Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) infection. β-glucan induces trained immunity via histone modifications at gene promoters in human monocytes, which is accompanied by the enhanced production of proinflammatory cytokines upon secondary Mtb challenge and inhibition of Mtb growth. Mice treated with β-glucan are significantly protected against pulmonary Mtb infection, which is associated with the expansion of hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells in the bone marrow and increased myelopoiesis. The protective signature of β-glucan is mediated via IL-1 signaling, as β-glucan shows no protection in mice lacking a functional IL-1 receptor (IL1R). The administration of β-glucan may be used as a novel strategy in the treatment of mycobacterial infections and possibly as an adjuvant to improve anti-tuberculosis vaccines.
Topics: Animals; Humans; Immunity; Interleukin-1; Mice; Mycobacterium tuberculosis; Signal Transduction; beta-Glucans
PubMed: 32433977
DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2020.107634 -
Nutrients Jun 2021Mushroom cell walls are rich in β-glucans, long or short-chain polymers of glucose subunits with β-1,3 and β-1,6 linkages, that are responsible for the linear and... (Review)
Review
Mushroom cell walls are rich in β-glucans, long or short-chain polymers of glucose subunits with β-1,3 and β-1,6 linkages, that are responsible for the linear and branching structures, respectively. β-glucans from cereals, at variance, have no 1,6 linkages nor branching structures. Both immunomodulatory and anti-inflammatory effects of mushrooms have been described using purified β-glucans or fungi extracts on cellular and experimental models; their potential clinical use has been tested in different conditions, such as recurrent infections of the respiratory tract or complications of major surgery. Another promising application of β-glucans is on cancer, as adjuvant of conventional chemotherapy. β-glucans may protect the cardiovascular system, ameliorating glucose, lipid metabolism, and blood pressure: these activities, observed for oat and barley β-glucans, require confirmation in human studies with mushroom β-glucans. On the other hand, mushrooms may also protect the cardiovascular system via a number of other components, such as bioactive phenolic compounds, vitamins, and mineral elements. The growing knowledge on the mechanism(s) and health benefits of mushrooms is encouraging the development of a potential clinical use of β-glucans, and also to further document their role in preserving health and prevent disease in the context of healthy lifestyles.
Topics: Agaricales; Humans; Plants, Edible; Protective Agents; beta-Glucans
PubMed: 34202377
DOI: 10.3390/nu13072195 -
Chemical Record (New York, N.Y.) Nov 2021β-glucans are polymers of glucose that have been isolated from a variety of organisms. Isolated β-glucans have been used for medical purposes for centuries; however,... (Review)
Review
β-glucans are polymers of glucose that have been isolated from a variety of organisms. Isolated β-glucans have been used for medical purposes for centuries; however, efforts to define the biological activities of β-glucans experimentally were initiated in the 1940's. The diversity of structure associated with isolated β-glucans has impeded said investigations, and efforts to leverage the biological activity of β-glucans for clinical applications. In recognition of the need for defined β-glucans that retain the biological activity of isolated β-glucans, considerable investment has been made to facilitate the synthesis of structurally defined β-glucans. Here, we review the different approaches that have been applied to prepare β-glucans. In addition, we summarize the approaches that have been utilized to conjugate β-glucans to proteins.
Topics: Polymers; beta-Glucans
PubMed: 34010496
DOI: 10.1002/tcr.202100059 -
Molecules (Basel, Switzerland) Feb 2017β-glucan is a type of polysaccharide which widely exists in bacteria, fungi, algae, and plants, and has been well known for its biological activities such as enhancing... (Review)
Review
β-glucan is a type of polysaccharide which widely exists in bacteria, fungi, algae, and plants, and has been well known for its biological activities such as enhancing immunity, antitumor, antibacterial, antiviral, and wound healing activities. The conformation of β-glucan plays a crucial role on its biological activities. Therefore, β-glucans obtained from different sources, while sharing the same basic structures, often show different bioactivities. The basic structure and inter-molecular forces of polysaccharides can be changed by modification, which leads to the conformational transformation in solution that can directly affect bioactivity. In this review, we will first determine different ways to modify β-glucan molecules including physical methods, chemical methods, and biological methods, and then reveal the relationship of the flexible helix form of the molecule chain and the helix conformation to their bioactivities. Last, we summarize the scientific challenges to modifying β-glucan's conformation and functional activity, and discuss its potential future development.
Topics: Molecular Conformation; Structure-Activity Relationship; beta-Glucans
PubMed: 28208790
DOI: 10.3390/molecules22020257 -
International Journal of Molecular... Feb 2021β(1,3)-glucans are a component of fungal and plant cell walls. The β-glucan of pathogens is recognized as a non-self-component in the host defense system. Long... (Review)
Review
β(1,3)-glucans are a component of fungal and plant cell walls. The β-glucan of pathogens is recognized as a non-self-component in the host defense system. Long β-glucan chains are capable of forming a triple helix structure, and the tertiary structure may profoundly affect the interaction with β-glucan-binding proteins. Although the atomic details of β-glucan binding and signaling of cognate receptors remain mostly unclear, X-ray crystallography and NMR analyses have revealed some aspects of β-glucan structure and interaction. Here, we will review three-dimensional (3D) structural characteristics of β-glucans and the modes of interaction with β-glucan-binding proteins.
Topics: Animals; Binding Sites; Carrier Proteins; Crystallography, X-Ray; Humans; Lectins; Models, Molecular; Protein Binding; beta-Glucans
PubMed: 33557270
DOI: 10.3390/ijms22041578 -
Molecules (Basel, Switzerland) Apr 2018β-glucans are derived from a variety of sources including yeast, grain and fungus and belong to the class of drugs known as biological response modifiers. They possess... (Review)
Review
β-glucans are derived from a variety of sources including yeast, grain and fungus and belong to the class of drugs known as biological response modifiers. They possess a broad spectrum of biological activities that enhance immunity in humans. One promising area for β-glucans' application is dermatology, including wound care. Topical applications of β-glucans are increasing, especially due to their pluripotent properties. Macrophages, keratinocytes and fibroblasts are considered the main target cells of β-glucans during wound healing. β-glucans enhance wound repair by increasing the infiltration of macrophages, which stimulates tissue granulation, collagen deposition and reepithelialization. β-glucan wound dressings represent a suitable wound healing agent, with great stability and resistance to wound proteases. This review summarizes the current knowledge and progress made on characterizing β-glucans' wound healing properties in vitro and in vivo and their safety and efficacy in managing non-healing wounds or other chronic dermatological conditions and diseases.
Topics: Animals; Collagen; Humans; Immunologic Factors; Macrophages; Re-Epithelialization; Wound Healing; beta-Glucans
PubMed: 29614757
DOI: 10.3390/molecules23040806 -
International Journal of Molecular... Sep 2017β-Glucans are a group of biologically-active fibers or polysaccharides from natural sources with proven medical significance. β-Glucans are known to have antitumor,... (Review)
Review
β-Glucans are a group of biologically-active fibers or polysaccharides from natural sources with proven medical significance. β-Glucans are known to have antitumor, anti-inflammatory, anti-obesity, anti-allergic, anti-osteoporotic, and immunomodulating activities. β-Glucans are natural bioactive compounds and can be taken orally, as a food supplement, or as part of a daily diet, and are considered safe to use. The medical significance and efficiency of β-glucans are confirmed in vitro, as well as using animal- and human-based clinical studies. However, systematic study on the clinical and physiological significance of β-glucans is scarce. In this review, we not only discuss the clinical and physiological importance of β-glucans, we also compare their biological activities through the existing in vitro and animal-based in vivo studies. This review provides extensive data on the clinical study of β-glucans.
Topics: Animals; Antineoplastic Agents; Humans; Immunologic Factors; Immunomodulation; beta-Glucans
PubMed: 28872611
DOI: 10.3390/ijms18091906 -
Nutrients Nov 2021Beta-glucans comprise a group of polysaccharides of natural origin found in bacteria, algae, and plants, e.g., cereal seeds, as well as microfungi and macrofungi... (Review)
Review
Beta-glucans comprise a group of polysaccharides of natural origin found in bacteria, algae, and plants, e.g., cereal seeds, as well as microfungi and macrofungi (mushrooms), which are characterized by diverse structures and functions. They are known for their metabolic and immunomodulatory properties, including anticancer, antibacterial, and antiviral. Recent reports suggest a potential of beta-glucans in the prevention and treatment of COVID-19. In contrast to β-glucans from other sources, β-glucans from mushrooms are characterized by β-1,3-glucans with short β-1,6-side chains. This structure is recognized by receptors located on the surface of immune cells; thus, mushroom β-glucans have specific immunomodulatory properties and gained BRM (biological response modifier) status. Moreover, mushroom beta-glucans also owe their properties to the formation of triple helix conformation, which is one of the key factors influencing the bioactivity of mushroom beta-glucans. This review summarizes the latest findings on biological and health-promoting potential of mushroom beta-glucans for the treatment of civilization and viral diseases, with particular emphasis on COVID-19.
Topics: Agaricales; Animals; COVID-19; Carbohydrate Conformation; Diet, Healthy; Humans; Immunologic Factors; Nutritive Value; Structure-Activity Relationship; beta-Glucans; COVID-19 Drug Treatment
PubMed: 34836215
DOI: 10.3390/nu13113960 -
Toxins May 2023Since ancient times, mushrooms have been considered valuable allies of human well-being both from a dietary and medicinal point of view. Their essential role in several... (Review)
Review
Since ancient times, mushrooms have been considered valuable allies of human well-being both from a dietary and medicinal point of view. Their essential role in several traditional medicines is explained today by the discovery of the plethora of biomolecules that have shown proven efficacy for treating various diseases, including cancer. Numerous studies have already been conducted to explore the antitumoural properties of mushroom extracts against cancer. Still, very few have reported the anticancer properties of mushroom polysaccharides and mycochemicals against the specific population of cancer stem cells (CSCs). In this context, β-glucans are relevant in modulating immunological surveillance against this subpopulation of cancer cells within tumours. Small molecules, less studied despite their spread and assortment, could exhibit the same importance. In this review, we discuss several pieces of evidence of the association between β-glucans and small mycochemicals in modulating biological mechanisms which are proven to be involved with CSCs development. Experimental evidence and an in silico approach are evaluated with the hope of contributing to future strategies aimed at the direct study of the action of these mycochemicals on this subpopulation of cancer cells.
Topics: Humans; beta-Glucans; Agaricales; Polysaccharides; Neoplasms; Neoplastic Stem Cells
PubMed: 37368660
DOI: 10.3390/toxins15060360 -
Cancer Immunology, Immunotherapy : CII Nov 2016Beta-glucans are large polysaccharides produced by a range of prokaryotic and eukaryotic organisms. They have potential immunostimulatory properties and have been used... (Review)
Review
Beta-glucans are large polysaccharides produced by a range of prokaryotic and eukaryotic organisms. They have potential immunostimulatory properties and have been used with therapeutic intent as anti-microbial and anti-tumour agents. A range of other potentially beneficial effects have been described, and oral forms of beta-glucans are widely available over-the-counter and online. Parenteral formulations are popular in parts of Asia and are the subject of ongoing trials, worldwide. Beta-glucans are also potential contaminants of pharmaceutical products, and high levels have been described in some blood products. However, little is known about the clinical effects of such contamination, considerable uncertainty exists over the level at which immunostimulation may occur, and there are no guidelines available on acceptable levels. We encountered beta-glucan contamination of one of our products, and we suspect that others may encounter similar issues since the origin of beta-glucan contamination includes commonly used filters and solutions applied in the manufacture of biotherapeutic agents. It is likely that regulators will increasingly enquire about beta-glucan levels in pharmaceutical products, especially those with an immunomodulatory mechanism of action. Here, we review the literature on beta-glucans in pharmaceutical products and propose an acceptable level for therapeutic agents for parenteral use.
Topics: Animals; Biosimilar Pharmaceuticals; Clinical Trials as Topic; Humans; Immunomodulation; Neoplasms; Pharmaceutical Preparations; Risk Assessment; Technology, Pharmaceutical; beta-Glucans
PubMed: 27473075
DOI: 10.1007/s00262-016-1875-9